The European Film Academy has included Vemork on its prestigious list of Treasures of European Film Culture. Vemork now joins iconic film locations such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the Odessa Steps, and Studio Babelsberg outside Berlin.
With this distinction, the European Film Academy highlights places of particular importance to European cinema—locations that should be preserved for future generations. Through these designations, the European Film Academy celebrates sites of symbolic importance to European film culture—places of historical value that must be safeguarded and protected for generations to come.
This is the second time a Norwegian site has received this recognition. In 2024, the Norwegian Film Studio at Jar became the first location in Norway to receive this honour.
Towering in the Landscape — and in European Film Heritage
Vemork towers over the landscape at Rjukan—and now the site also towers on the list of European film heritage, says Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality, Lubna Jaffery.
It is a powerful symbol of national resistance during World War II, but has also become a spectacular and monumental film location. Most generations have a relationship to this setting, whether through The Battle of the Heavy Water, Nr. 24, Troll 2, or The Heroes of Telemark. That Vemork now receives this recognition is important, says Lubna Jaffery.
Earlier this week, the minister visited Vemork for the first time and was given a guided tour of the newly excavated and recently opened Heavy Water Cellar.
Proposed by the Norwegian Film Institute
It was the Norwegian Film Institute that proposed Vemork as a candidate.
– Very few places combine dramatic history, distinctive architecture, and magnificent natural surroundings in the way Vemork does. It is therefore not surprising that the area has been used in a number of film and television productions over the years, says Kjersti Mo, CEO of the Norwegian Film Institute.
– That Vemork is now recognised as a treasure of European film culture will contribute to increased awareness of the site’s significance and help ensure that it is preserved for future generations, Mo adds.
In its rationale for including Vemork on the list of film treasures, the European Film Academy points to the first film set here, The Battle of the Heavy Water (1948), as well as several later productions.
With the designation of Vemork as a Treasure of European Film Culture, a commemorative plaque will also follow, to be unveiled at Vemork later this year.
Films and Series shot at Vemork or in the Rjukan Area:
The Battle of the Heavy Water ( 1948)
Norwegian–French feature film
Directors: Jean Dréville and Titus Vibe‑Müller
Cast: Several of the saboteurs portray themselves
The Heroes of Telemark (Feature film, 1965)
International feature film (Hollywood production)
Director: Anthony Mann
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris
The Heavy Water War / The Saboteurs (Kampen om tungtvannet, 2014–2015)
Norwegian drama series in 6 episodes
Director: Per‑Olav Sørensen
Screenplay: Petter S. Rosenlund
Producer: NRK/Filmkameratene (John M. Jacobsen, Sveinung Golimo, Marcus B. Brodersen, Morten Fisker, Stewart Mackinnon, Tone Rønning)
The Snowman (Feature film, 2017)
Norwegian/international crime thriller, based on the novel by Jo Nesbø
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Producer: Working Title Films / Perfect World Pictures / Artémis Productions
Nr. 24 (2024)
Norwegian feature film
Director: John Andreas Andersen
Screenplay: Erlend Loe, Vibeke Idsøe, Christopher Grønndahl and Espen Von Ibenfeldt
Producer: Motion Blur, Filmkameratene
(Espen Horn, Kristian Sinkerud, Terje Strømstad, John M. Jacobsen)
Troll 2 (2025)
Norwegian feature film
Director: Roar Uthaug
Screenplay: Espen Aukan
Producer: Motion Blur for Netflix (Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud)
In addition to this, the computer game Battlefield V (2018) has a war scenario from the Heavy Water operation at Vemork during World War II. The game is developed by Dice.
More information
Press, NIA:
Rita Engedalen, +47 92094584 / r.engedalen@nia.no