Edith Carlmar (Edith Mary Johanne Mathiesen) (15 November 1911 – 17 May 2003) was an actress and Norway's first female film director. She is known for films such as Fjols til fjells (1957), Aldri annet enn bråk (1954), and Ung flukt (1959). Her 1949 film, Døden er et kjærtegn (Death is a Caress), is considered to be Norway's first film noir. The last film she directed, Ung Flukt, introduced Liv Ullmann, Norway's most famous actor internationally, to the silver screen.Carlmar came from a poor family in the working class districts of East Oslo. However, she did manage to take dancing classes and made her debut on stage at the age of 15. In the theater she met Otto Carlmar whom she married three years later. From 1936 she worked as an actress in various theatres. Here she met the film director Tancred Ibsen who introduced her to the world of cinema.In 1949 she and her husband started Carlmar Film A/S, and began writing scripts, directing and producing films. They made ten feature films over a ten-year period. After a decade of film-making Carlmar retired as a director. In the last part of her life she accepted only minor acting roles in plays and movies.
Her directorial debut, Døden er et kjærtegn (1949), is considered to be the first film noir directed by a woman director.
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All of the ten feature films she directed was an economic success, a rare feat in Norway. This makes her not only the nation's first female director but also one of its most successful film-makers of all time.
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She passed away on Norway's independence day.
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After World War II she was given a scholarship to go to London and study film. There she worked at the legendary Denham and Ealing studios.
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In her late 80s she was reported to be working on a screenplay about prostitutes in Oslo.
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Of the movies she directed, "Aldri annet enn bråk" (1954) is her personal favorite.
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Recognized by her short silvery hair.
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Norway's first female director.
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Led the production company Carlmar Film with her husband Otto.
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In march 2002, at the age of 90, she presented "Døden er et kjærtegn" at "Cinema of Cool", a British film festival honoring Norwegian cinema from 1921 to 2001 at the National Film Theatre in London.
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Husband Otto Carlmar produced all her films.
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Her ninth film, "Fjols til fjells" (1957), is considered one of Norway's greatest comedy classics.
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Her debut movie "Døden er et kjærtegn" (1949) is considered Norway's first film noir.
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Directed Liv Ullmann in her first starring role.
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Directed 10 movies from 1949 to 1959, then stopped and left the movie industry all together.
$12 Million
