Sølvrev releases new film for centenary venue Fløirestauranten.

After a hundred years of operation, Fløirestauranten has finally become part of the Fløyen destination, and in connection with the takeover, an extensive renovation of the building and interiors was carried out. When Fløirestauranten reopened in its new guise at Easter 2024, it did so with respect for the old and a strong focus on what they wish to leave behind for future generations.

Much of the renovation focused on restoring Fløirestauranten to its former glory, reclaiming building materials and interior elements, as well as finding new and smart solutions for the future. In this context, Fløirestauranten wanted to create a film that truly showcased the love and care put into the work, and highlighted the specific measures and craftspeople who contributed to the renovation.

• When selecting a supplier for this assignment, it was important to us to work with a local partner. During the tender phase, Sølvrev stood out by presenting a well-considered and inspiring concept for the film. They demonstrated a strong understanding of both the story we wanted to tell and the values we wished to highlight – which quickly gave us confidence that they understood the brief and would deliver, says Kristin Steinsland, Head of Sales and Marketing at Fløibanen.

• As one of several companies invited to pitch for Fløirestauranten, we were struck during our site visit by the quality of the craftsmanship, the attention to detail and the choice of materials. There was no sign of any corners being cut. A consistent thread running through both the renovation and the restaurant's operations is a strong focus on fine craftsmanship, local produce and clean flavours. Both the menu and the interior are rooted in the local area and reflect a strong desire to preserve our heritage while thinking ahead about the legacy we leave behind, says Sølvrev concept developer Mariann Lunde.

• Early in the process, we had the idea of creating an overarching story that contained several smaller ones within it. We wanted to achieve this through transitions and camera movements that draw viewers in and out of the craftspeople's world, allowing them to get to know the suppliers and their passion for sustainable materials and lasting solutions. In keeping with the restaurant's philosophy, we wanted a nature-inspired visual language that anchors the film in the local West Norwegian landscape and history, Lunde continues.

A passion for craftsmanship at the heart

The film opens with a brief historical look back at Fløirestauranten and what it once was, before drawing viewers into the newly renovated restaurant. To create the historical sequence, Sølvrev received assistance from the Special Collections at the University of Bergen Library, also known as Marcus. Resten av scenene ble spilt inn i løpet av en dag i restauranten og ute hos leverandørene.

• The production day at the restaurant was great fun! But filling a large restaurant with enough people during the day and filming all the scenes in a single day? Quite the puzzle. The team at Fløyen did a fantastic job recruiting extras and impressively managed to fill the entire restaurant. A grandmother in her 80s even took the bus all the way from Nordheimsund to take part as an extra. After a long day at full pace, two triggered smoke alarms and three full memory cards, we had filmed all the scenes, says director William Glandberger.

• We then headed out to the craftspeople to film them in their own environments. We got to see where the oak trees had grown on Tysnes – trees that now form the tables in the restaurant – and filmed the legendary Christopher Knag restoring hundred-year-old chairs made by his grandfather. It was a wonderful experience – especially for someone who harbours a romantic plan of becoming a furniture maker on his own smallholding late in life, Glandberger continues.

Om samarbeidet forteller Steinsland;

• We are very pleased with the collaboration. Sølvrev has shown great professionalism and a clear pride in their craft. They work independently, but have also kept us involved throughout, consulting us on key decisions to ensure the film communicated exactly what we had envisioned. They were also quick to make adjustments whenever we requested changes. Particularly impressive was seeing how they handled the large production day at the restaurant. Despite significant time pressure and a house full of extras of all ages, they kept their composure and made sure every shot was captured. We are absolutely delighted with the result and look forward to sharing the film. – Kristin Steinsland