Knut Bohwim

Knut Bohwim was a Norwegian film director known for his work on popular entertainment films, most notably directing numerous installments in the long-running Olsenbanden comedy series. ^{[1] [2]} Born on 12 March 1931 and passing away on 16 June 2020, he established himself as one of Norway's leading filmmakers in the realm of audience-driven cinema. ^[1] Bohwim debuted as a director with Operasjon sjøsprøyt in 1964 and later helmed other projects, but his legacy is defined by the Olsenbanden films, which he directed across multiple decades starting in 1969. ^[1] These Norwegian adaptations of the Danish Olsen Gang franchise became major commercial successes and enduring cultural touchstones for audiences, though they received little acclaim in Norway's more artistically oriented film circles, where they were often dismissed as overly commercial. ^[2] Described in his obituary as one of the country's greatest film directing craftsmen, Bohwim faced significant challenges in financing his work due to the lack of public funding for such projects, requiring him to personally secure loans against his property. ^[2] His pragmatic approach to filmmaking and sharp critique of industry pretensions—exemplified by his remark that too many in Norway believed themselves to be Ingmar Bergman—highlighted the divide between popular success and critical acceptance during his career. ^[2]

Early life

Family background and childhood

Knut Bohwim was born on 12 March 1931 in Oslo, Norway. ^[3] He was the son of Paal Bohwim and Maud Vivi Kvinnsland. ^[3] His maternal grandfather, Andreas Kvinnsland, had been one of the early cinema owners in Oslo during the pioneer period of cinemas. ^[3] Theater and film interests ran in the family, as evidenced by his cousin, the actor Odd Borg. ^[3] Bohwim grew up partly in Hamar and partly in Oslo. ^[3] This upbringing in a family connected to early cinema exhibition provided an early exposure to the medium that would later shape his career path. ^[3]

Education

Knut Bohwim completed his examen artium, the Norwegian upper secondary school leaving examination qualifying for university entrance. ^{[3] [4]} Following this, he enrolled in handelsskole, a business-oriented commercial school. ^{[3] [4]} No formal education in filmmaking, directing, or any cinema-related field is documented in biographical sources. ^[3]

Entry into the film industry

Acting debut and early roles

Knut Bohwim made his acting debut in 1955 with a small role in the Norwegian film Bedre enn sitt rykte, directed by Edith Carlmar, where he portrayed a piano-playing student known as a "russ" and performed as a jazz pianist. ^{[3] [5]} This initial opportunity arose through the assistance of his cousin, the actor Odd Borg, who helped secure the part for him. ^{[3] [5]} Bohwim's acting appearances during the 1950s and 1960s were limited to minor and small roles, with his work in Bedre enn sitt rykte remaining his primary credited performance from that early period. ^[3] By the mid-1950s, he had begun shifting his focus toward advertising films. ^[3]

Production management and advertising films

Following his brief acting career in the mid-1950s, Knut Bohwim transitioned to behind-the-camera work in film production. In 1956 he joined Starfilm, a company specializing in commissioned and advertising films, which was renamed Centralfilm in 1958. ^[3] There he produced advertising and commissioned films while meeting Knut Andersen and Mattis Mathiesen, who like him sought greater professional opportunities in the industry. ^[3] In the early 1960s Bohwim took on production manager roles across several Norwegian feature films. His credits in this capacity include Operasjon Løvsprett (1962), Elskere (1963), Vildanden (1963), Nydelige nelliker (1964), Operasjon Sjøsprøyt (1964), Skjær i sjøen (1965), and Hurra for Andersens (1966). ^[1] This work solidified his shift from on-screen roles to essential production positions in Norwegian cinema. ^[1]

Founding of Teamfilm and early production

Establishment of Teamfilm A/S

Teamfilm A/S was established in connection with an offer to produce Egil Monn-Iversen's project Operasjon Løvsprett (1962). Knut Bohwim co-founded the production company together with Knut Andersen and Mattis Mathiesen. ^[3] The partners established an internal agreement whereby Andersen and Bohwim would alternate as directors on feature films, while Mathiesen would serve as cinematographer on these projects. ^[3] The company's inaugural production was Operasjon Løvsprett (1962), on which Bohwim served as production manager. ^[3] In subsequent years, Teamfilm produced 13 of the 14 films in the Olsenbanden series, establishing itself as a key player in Norwegian popular cinema. ^[3]

Early production credits

Following the establishment of Teamfilm A/S, Knut Bohwim took on production roles in the company's initial feature film projects. ^[3] The company's first production was Operasjon Løvsprett (1962), directed by co-founder Knut Andersen, where Bohwim served as production manager. ^[6] This comedy marked Teamfilm's entry into feature filmmaking and proved a solid box-office success. ^[3] Bohwim continued in production management capacities on subsequent films, including Vildanden (1963), an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's play, and Elskere (1963). ^[1] He also acted as production manager on Nydelige nelliker (1964) and Operasjon Sjøsprøyt (1964). ^[1] These early credits built on his prior experience in commissioned and industrial films at Starfilm/Centralfilm during the late 1950s and early 1960s, providing him with practical expertise in managing film production before his shift toward directing. ^[3]

Directorial career

Debut and early feature films

Knut Bohwim made his directorial debut with the feature film Operasjon Sjøsprøyt in 1964, a light-hearted comedy centered on the crew of a Norwegian navy vessel journeying north, filled with music, romance, and humorous escapades at sea. ^{[7] [8]} Produced by his newly established company Teamfilm A/S, the film achieved notable commercial success in Norwegian cinemas. ^[7] He followed this with Det største spillet in 1967, a war drama depicting the true story of Norwegian resistance fighter and double agent Gunvald Tomstad during the German occupation in World War II. ^{[7] [9]} The film adopted a serious and dramatic tone, emphasizing the immense personal burden, moral complexities, and life-threatening risks faced by Tomstad in his covert role, setting it apart from the comedic style of his debut. ^[9] In 1970, Bohwim directed Skulle det dukke opp flere lik er det bare å ringe, an adaptation drawn from revue and theater material. ^[7] These early feature films established his versatility across genres before his later focus on popular comedy series. ^[7]

The Olsenbanden series

Knut Bohwim directed 12 of the 14 theatrical feature films in the Olsenbanden comedy series, spanning from 1969 to 1999.^[10] The series adapted the Danish Olsen Gang concept, with Bohwim personally securing remake rights from Nordisk Film to produce Norwegian versions.^[10] Key films under his direction included Olsenbanden (1969), Olsenbanden tar gull (1972), Olsenbanden og Dynamitt-Harry går amok (1973), Olsenbanden møter kongen og knekten (1974), Olsenbanden for full musikk (1976), Olsenbanden og Dynamitt-Harry på sporet (1977), Olsenbanden + Data-Harry sprenger verdensbanken (1978), Olsenbanden og Dynamitt-Harry mot nye høyder (1979), Olsenbanden gir seg aldri! (1981), Olsenbandens aller siste kupp (1982), …men Olsenbanden var ikke død! (1984), and Olsenbandens siste stikk (1999).^[1] The films received no public funding and were privately financed through Teamfilm, often carrying substantial economic risk for the company, which relied on consistent popular success to support its operations after many funding applications were rejected.^[10] The franchise became one of Norway's most commercially successful film series, averaging around 650,000 cinema tickets sold per film and reaching a total of approximately 10 million tickets across all entries.^[10] Bohwim made uncredited cameo appearances in many installments, typically in small roles such as policemen, park attendants, or other background figures.^[1] He also co-wrote the original screenplay for …men Olsenbanden var ikke død! (1984) with Gustav Kramer.^[11]

Other directing projects

Bohwim directed several revue films during his career, which were filmed adaptations of popular Norwegian stage revues. ^[1] These include Kjære lille Norge (1973), a recording of the Chat Noir revue of the same name co-directed with Einar Schanke, Glade vrinsk (1975), and Vi spillopper (1979). ^{[12] [1]} He also helmed other feature films outside the revue format and his best-known series, such as the comedy Tut og kjør (1975) and the later Ute av drift (1992), which starred Rolv Wesenlund and Solfrid Heier. ^{[1] [13]} Across his entire directing career, Bohwim was credited on 22 feature films. Bohwim occasionally made cameo appearances in his own productions. ^[1]

Later career

Administrative leadership

In the later phase of his career, Knut Bohwim transitioned from directing to administrative leadership in the Norwegian film industry. From 1984 to 1998, he served as managing director of Kommunenes Filmcentral A/S, the primary organization responsible for importing and distributing films to municipal cinemas throughout Norway. ^{[7] [14]} This role placed him at the center of film distribution administration during a period when municipal cinemas played a key part in exhibition across the country. ^[7] His tenure represented a shift toward organizational oversight following his peak years in creative production and direction. ^[14]

Final directing work

Knut Bohwim's feature directing became increasingly limited after the Olsenbanden installment …men Olsenbanden var ikke død! in 1984.^{[3] [14]} In 1992 he directed Ute av drift, an adaptation of a stage play starring Rolv Wesenlund and Solfrid Heier.^{[3] [14]} After a further interval, Bohwim returned to the Olsenbanden franchise with Olsenbandens siste stikk in 1999.^{[3] [15]} The film reunited the core cast for a final caper set in a retirement home and was presented as the series' swan song and concluding entry after a 15-year absence from the franchise.^{[3] [15] [14]} Olsenbandens siste stikk marked Bohwim's last directing credit.^{[3] [15] [14]} During much of the period from the mid-1980s onward he had also served in administrative leadership roles, including as director of Kommunenes Filmcentral from 1984 to 1998.^[14]

Personal life

Marriage and family

Knut Bohwim married Kirsten Kaurin in 1963. ^[7] Kirsten Kaurin was born on 25 September 1939. ^[7] He was the father of the writer Alexia Bohwim. ^[7] Bohwim died peacefully at home with his family around him, fulfilling his last wish to pass away in those surroundings. ^[16] His family described him as the "warm and generous cornerstone of the family" and expressed that they would carry all the good memories with them. ^[16] His wife, Kirsten, noted that he died happy and in the dignified manner he desired, marking a beautiful conclusion to his life. ^[14]

Death and legacy

Awards and recognition

In 1997, Knut Bohwim received the Honorary Award from the Amanda Awards, Norway.^[17] No other major awards or formal recognitions are documented in available sources.