Norway Inspires New Disney Film

©2013 Disney

If you’re in the mood for a family-friendly movie this holiday season, check out Disney’s new animated film, “Frozen,” now playing in theaters across the United States. Norway’s landscape, folklore and culture take center stage in the film.

Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Snow Queen, “Frozen” is set in the fictional kingdom of Arendelle, which sits on a fjord. Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer, Sven. The group travels to find Anna’s sister and save the kingdom.

To get inspired to create this magical, frozen setting filled with ice castles, snow and mountains, filmmakers traveled to Norway and teamed up with Norway’s national tourist board, VisitNorway.

“Disney is well known around the world, and we hope that in providing the backdrop to the film, Norway will appeal to the film’s fans,” says Per-Arne Tuftin, director of tourism at Innovation Norway.

In addition to the spectacular scenery, filmmakers also were inspired by Norway’s traditional folk costume, the bunad. Keep your eyes peeled for a stave church and listen for several of the characters speaking Norwegian.

©2013 Disney

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Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.