Eva Isaksen

Eva Isaksen studied French and literature at the University of Oslo, also working as an intern at the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK, besides her studies. After her finishing her studies at the university she turned to film and media studies at Volda University College from 1978 to 1980. In 1982 she attained her degree, equivalent to a Master of Arts.

After a period of studying and making short films with fellow director and friend Eva Dahr on the foundations of a French cultural grant, Isaksen returned home to Norway and started working for the educational department of the national film production company Norsk Film A/S, and worked on several of their productions, including writing and directing the short Du er ikke alene (1983).

After working as a script-supervisor and assistant director on several feature films, Isaksen made her debut as a feature film director with the drama Burning Flowers in 1985, co-directing with Dahr. Her arguably most successful film, the youth drama Death at Oslo Central, followed in 1990, and - in addition to being critically hailed and a box-office success - was among several others awarded the Norwegian National Film Award Amanda for Best Children's or Youth Film. Isaksen has since directed several successful short and feature films, including Cellophane (1998), and the second film of the immensely popular Elling-trilogy; Mother's Elling (2003) - in addition to also having directed several series' for television.

In addition to directing and writing, Isaksen has from time to time also taught classes in directing at Lillehammer University College, as well as at The Academy of Theatre, at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts.

Norsk Filminstitutt