Egress

A petrol station on the outskirts of Oslo. A young woman working there becomes a silent witness to various casual incidents. Her daily routine is a reflection of state of contemporary European life with its latent economic crisis, fragmented multicultural society, alienation, security issues and spontaneous violence. The woman’s inner monologue is highly dramatic and makes a striking contrast with the reality, which on the surface seems calm and well-organised. Prominent Norwegian visual artist Knut Åsdam focuses on one anonymous place which only seems to be ordinary but in fact harbours many unresolved tensions and conflicts. In this sense an ordinary petrol station, where risk of fire is always greater than in other public places, becomes a genuine symbol of contemporary Europe which is in danger of an imminent ‘explosion’, despite its proclamations of stability and order. Full of suspense, this visually gripping thriller is based on documentary material.