‘Songs of Earth’, Scored by Rebekka Karijord, Submitted for Oscars Best International Feature

With the 96th Academy Awards slated for March 10, 2024, entries for Best International Feature are underway from all across the globe. From Norway, Songs of Earth, directed by Margreth Olin and scored by Rebekka Karijord (she/her), has been selected as the country’s Oscar submission.

The lauded nature documentary previously had its world premiere in CPH:DOX, and this news comes off the heels of its North American premiere at TIFF. 'Songs of Earth' continues to receive recognition for the high caliber of work Margreth, Rebekka, and the whole team have put in to create such a stunning, poignant film.

The film follows director Margreth Olin and her father into the scenic glacial valley of Oldedalen in Nordfjord, Olin’s childhood home. When writing the music, Rebekka devised an unorthodox approach to scoring that involved taking field recordings of the glaciers, forest, and river within the valley and working closely with the London Contemporary Orchestra at AIR Studios to translate them into a musical, orchestral palette. This unique method of composing brings the music even closer to embodying the essence of the nature seen on screen, connecting on a deeper emotional level the wonder that is truly all around us.

According to Screen Daily, “a shortlist of 15 finalists is scheduled to be announced on December 21, with the final five nominees announced on January 23.”

In the meantime, you can download and purchase the soundtrack from all major streaming platforms by clicking on the link here.