Busters verden
Encyclopedia
Busters verden is a Danish
children's television series
and movie from 1984. Based on a play by Bjarne Reuter
, Buster's verden deals with the experiences of young Buster Oregon Mortensen. The television series was a break-through for director Bille August
, and the soundtrack also provided a hit for the young singer Nanna Lüders Jensen
.
. In 1984 Reuter published his collection Tre skuespil ("Three Plays"); a collection containing also En dag i Hector Hansens liv ("A Day in the Life of Hector Hansen") and Kom der lys i neonrøret, gutter? ("Was There Light in the Neon Tube
, Boys?") – in addition to Busters Verden. Director Bille August
had already worked with Reuter, on the 1983 movie Zappa
where August's script was based on a book by Reuter. August was still a relatively unknown director outside Denmark at the time, but the success he had with Buster helped pave the way for his international break-through with the Oscar-winning Pelle the Conqueror
in 1987.
, from whom Buster learns to perform magic tricks. Buster also has a younger sister called Ingeborg (Katarina Stenbeck), who has a disability referred to as a "stiff leg". Both Buster and his sister are frequently bullied by other kids in school, but he maintains a positive outlook on life, and is confirmed in his optimism when he meets and falls in love with the piano child prodigy
Joanna (Signe Dahl Madsen).
The series consisted of six episodes of twenty minutes each, that aired between 7 January and 11 February 1984:
, the film won both the C.I.F.E.J. Award (Centre International du Film pour l'Enfance et la Jeuneusse) and the UNICEF
Award.
was asked by August to provide a song for the television series. Nanna's song, titled simply "Buster" became an instant hit in Denmark, and launched her to national fame. The song can also be found on her album, "Små Blå Breve"
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
children's television series
Children's television series
Children's television series, are commercial television programs designed for, and marketed to children, normally scheduled for broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake. They can sometimes run in the early evening, for the children that go to school...
and movie from 1984. Based on a play by Bjarne Reuter
Bjarne Reuter
Bjarne Reuter is a Danish writer and screenwriter, best known for his books for children and teenagers.Many of his works are set in the fifties and sixties, the time period of his childhood and adolescence. Many also deal with the Copenhagen area, where he was born...
, Buster's verden deals with the experiences of young Buster Oregon Mortensen. The television series was a break-through for director Bille August
Bille August
Bille August is a Danish Academy Award winning film and television director. His film Pelle the Conqueror from 1987 won the Palme D'or, Academy Award and Golden Globe. He is one of the very few directors to win the Palme D'or twice, winning the prestigious award again in 1991 for The Best...
, and the soundtrack also provided a hit for the young singer Nanna Lüders Jensen
Nanna Lüders Jensen
Nanna Lüders Jensen , known by the stage name of Nanna, is a Danish songwriter and singer. She is best known for her hit single "Buster" from 1984, the theme song for Bille August's children's television series and movie Busters verden. Since then she has released several albums...
.
Background
The television series was based on a play by Danish author Bjarne ReuterBjarne Reuter
Bjarne Reuter is a Danish writer and screenwriter, best known for his books for children and teenagers.Many of his works are set in the fifties and sixties, the time period of his childhood and adolescence. Many also deal with the Copenhagen area, where he was born...
. In 1984 Reuter published his collection Tre skuespil ("Three Plays"); a collection containing also En dag i Hector Hansens liv ("A Day in the Life of Hector Hansen") and Kom der lys i neonrøret, gutter? ("Was There Light in the Neon Tube
Neon lamp
A neon lamp is a miniature gas discharge lamp that typically contains neon gas at a low pressure in a glass capsule. Only a thin region adjacent to the electrodes glows in these lamps, which distinguishes them from the much longer and brighter neon tubes used for signage...
, Boys?") – in addition to Busters Verden. Director Bille August
Bille August
Bille August is a Danish Academy Award winning film and television director. His film Pelle the Conqueror from 1987 won the Palme D'or, Academy Award and Golden Globe. He is one of the very few directors to win the Palme D'or twice, winning the prestigious award again in 1991 for The Best...
had already worked with Reuter, on the 1983 movie Zappa
Zappa (film)
Zappa is a 1983 Danish drama film directed by Bille August. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Adam Tønsberg - Bjørn* Morten Hoff - Mulle* Peter Reichhardt - Steen* Lone Lindorff - Bjørn's mother...
where August's script was based on a book by Reuter. August was still a relatively unknown director outside Denmark at the time, but the success he had with Buster helped pave the way for his international break-through with the Oscar-winning Pelle the Conqueror
Pelle the Conqueror
Pelle the Conqueror is a 1987 Danish film by Bille August that tells the story of two Swedish immigrants to Denmark, a father and son, who try to build a new life for themselves...
in 1987.
Television series
The protagonist of the series is Buster Oregon Mortensen, played by Mads Bugge Andersen. Buster's father (Peter Schrøder) is an unemployed magicianMagic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
, from whom Buster learns to perform magic tricks. Buster also has a younger sister called Ingeborg (Katarina Stenbeck), who has a disability referred to as a "stiff leg". Both Buster and his sister are frequently bullied by other kids in school, but he maintains a positive outlook on life, and is confirmed in his optimism when he meets and falls in love with the piano child prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
Joanna (Signe Dahl Madsen).
The series consisted of six episodes of twenty minutes each, that aired between 7 January and 11 February 1984:
- Episode 1: The school Buster attends is celebrating the 25-year anniversary for the principal. Buster is meant to do a magic trick for entertainment, but ends up spoiling the party.
- Episode 2: Ingeborg is being bullied by Store-Lars (Big Lars), and Buster interferes for his sister.
- Episode 3: While distributing milk on his bike, Buster meets the young piano prodigy Joanna, and falls in love.
- Episode 4: Ingeborg, as a girl scout, is organising a party in the vicar's garden, and Buster helps.
- Episode 5: Buster is not doing well in school and the teachers believe that magic takes up too much of his time.
- Episode 6: Johanna invites Buster to perform at her party, but the snobbish guests were expecting Johanna's piano playing, not Buster's magic tricks.
Film
The movie was an edited version of the television series, and premiered on 4 October 1984. The content had to be cut down, from the original 120 minutes to one and a half hours. The critics were still happy with the result, however, as many felt the movie format gave the viewer a better opportunity to acquaint themselves with the characters. At the 1984 Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
, the film won both the C.I.F.E.J. Award (Centre International du Film pour l'Enfance et la Jeuneusse) and the UNICEF
United Nations Children's Fund
United Nations Children's Fund was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II...
Award.
Music
The twenty-year old, and still relatively unknown singer Nanna Lüders JensenNanna Lüders Jensen
Nanna Lüders Jensen , known by the stage name of Nanna, is a Danish songwriter and singer. She is best known for her hit single "Buster" from 1984, the theme song for Bille August's children's television series and movie Busters verden. Since then she has released several albums...
was asked by August to provide a song for the television series. Nanna's song, titled simply "Buster" became an instant hit in Denmark, and launched her to national fame. The song can also be found on her album, "Små Blå Breve"
External links
Busters verden on the Danish Film Institute's web site. Busters verden on a Norwegian nostalgia site.- "Buster" by Nanna – text and chords.