HBO – Black Forest Magazine

Game of Thrones – The Exhibit, Oslo 2014

April 28, 2014 by Line Evensen Leave a Comment

This weekend, HBO Nordic opened their Game of Thrones – The Exhibit in Oslo, Norway. And of course we had to visit!

On the left: The wedding outfits of Tyrion and Sansa. The Red Viper Prince Oberyn. Then, Margaery Tyrell’s epic wedding dress and both Joffrey’s and Cersei’s outfit from the Purple Wedding. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

First of all, we just have to say how awestruck we are by the dedication of the Game of Throne-fans. When we arrived pretty early on opening day, the queue went around the whole block! We’ve heard of both Italians, Czechs and Finnish people traveling to Norway just to visit the exhibit. Norwegians also travelled from around the country. Some say on the Facebook event page that they waited for 6,5 hours to get in. At the end of the day and after 2500 fans inside the gates, HBO Nordic actually had to cut the line, telling people to come back the next day. But do not despair! The exhibit are staying in Oslo until 30th of April, from 10:00-20:00 every day.

The queue. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

On arrival, we were greeted by maps of Westeros and banners from around the realm. Then the exhibit opened up a treasure chest for the fans. On our right were Daenerys’ dresses from the first season, a dragon and dragon eggs. On our left were Lady Melisandre’s red dress, and Ser Davos’ severed finger bones in their pouch. Further on, we met the outfits from the Purple Wedding (and I have to say I had no idea of the detailed arrangements on Margaerys wedding dress. It was epic!), we saw The Hound’s pretty raggedy (and huge) armor. We met Needle, Jaime’s new (and old) hand, we got to witness The Mountain’s enormous sword and the awesome skull mask (and skull cup) belonging to no other than Lord of Bones.

Lord of Bones’ mask and equipment from beyond the wall. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

Of course we had to ascend The Wall with Oculus Rift. There were a separate line for this, but it wasn’t too long a wait, and it was definitely worth the while. We don’t want to spoil any possible surprises, but for those of you who are not familiar with the technology: With the use of this virtual reality head-mounted display and headphones, we were able to experience how it would feel like to ascend The Wall by open elevators in 4D.

Last, but not least, were of course THE Iron Throne. And it were ours to take – along with the rest of the 30 000 fans HBO Nordic are awaiting during the exhibition in Oslo.

The Iron Throne. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

People should understand that this is no ordinary exhibition. This is a platform for fans to show their passionate dedication, and a way for HBO Nordic to engage with the fans and give them something in return for their loyalty. The length of the waiting line probably tells a great deal of how welcome an event like this is in Norway. It’s not often we get to take part of world wide happenings, so this proves the Norwegian people are more than welcoming it. Also, since we have our own Kristofer Hivju playing Tormund Giantsbane (which also had his gear exhibited), it’s only fair we get to show our appreciation towards HBO, George R.R. Martin and the whole world of Westeros.

Ygritte, Jon Snow, and Tormund Giantsbane. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

We are impressed by the crew behind the series and their care for details when bringing George R. R. Martins Westeros to life. Now that we have seen the costumes, the armors and all the detailed belongings of the different characters , it will add a new dimension when watching the series.

So thank you so much for this great experience, HBO!

Watch our picture gallery from the exhibit:

: The queue. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Daenerys and one of her dragons. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: On the left: The wedding outfits of Tyrion and Sansa. The Red Viper Prince Oberyn. Then, Margaery Tyrell’s epic wedding dress and both Joffrey’s and Cersei’s outfit from their Purple Wedding. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Tyrion. Photo: Line Evensen

: Margaery Tyrell’s epic wedding dress. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Arya Stark to the Hound. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: The Iron Throne. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Ygritte, Jon Snow, and Tormund Giantsbane. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Lord of Bones’ mask and equipment from beyond the wall. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Elevators from the NYC exhibition. Photo: Ashley Sears / HBO

: Brienne and Jaime. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Jaime’s severed hand. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Lady Melisandre’s recognizable red dress, the armor of Stannis Baratheon and Ser Davos with his obligatory finger pouch. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

: Details from Dragonstone. Photo: Jan F. Lindsø

Game of Thrones: The Exhibition

March 26, 2014 by Line Evensen Leave a Comment

The 4th season of the epic HBO series Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martins best selling book series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, is returning April 7th for another season filled with duplicity and treachery, death and survival, conquest and triumph.

When the 3rd season launched last year, HBO went on tour with an international Game of Thrones exhibition, to bring the marvelous and fascinating world of Westeros to the fans. It was – obviously – a great success. I mean, it was free AND you could take pictures of yourself sitting on the Iron Throne. Whats not to like?

Great news is that the exhibition again is on a world tour visiting five cities; Mexico City, Rio de Janiero, Oslo, Toronto Belfast, Austin, and Vancouver. This time HBO promises to offer ‘a fresh perspective on the show, focusing on key places, characters and relationships from the series’. Amongst the displays are weapons, props, armors, costumes, storyboards and more. You can also dive into the world of Westeros through a new, interactive experience. HBO will also offer merchandise from their shop.

Everything completely free of charge. What an awesome way for HBO to show their gratitude towards the fans! This year I was thrilled to see that the exhibit is coming to Posthallen in Oslo, Norway the 26th-30th April. I have read all the books and seen every episode, so I can’t wait to explore Westeros in a new and different way.

For more information about the Oslo exhibit, you can visit www.gotexhibitoslo.com or the Facebook-event. Here you can see the promo video:

Here is a video from the Austin, Texas exhibit:

And while we’re at it, here is a new trailer for the upcoming season 4:

http://youtu.be/lkKYEzmR92A

True Detective – true magnificence

March 16, 2014 by Jan F. Lindsø Leave a Comment

We were thrilled to hear that Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey had been casted for this new HBO series. We didn’t really know what to expect back then, but we instantly knew that it would be great! True Detective is written and created by Nic Pizzolatto (The Killing). The finale of season one just aired, and we are really amazed by what we’ve seen.

The plot of the series does mainly take place in Louisiana, 2012. The two State Police Detectives Rust Cohle (McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Harrelson) are brought in to revisit a homicide case they worked in 1995, involving some bizarre ritualistic murder. This way the series jumps elegantly back in forth on the timeline, to reveal their back story, and the case they had been working on. The narrative structure of the series works perfectly in its way to tell the story.

As mentioned, the plot is set in Lousiana, and I must say that the production crew has done a terrific job picking the scenery. The large fields, forested and sometimes industrial environment makes a perfect set for such a gloomy plot. The vast uninhabited desolated swamplands, except from some idiosyncratic white trash trailer park kinda places, leaves the viewer with a claustrophic, dismal and eere feeling. A feeling that is already set when the amazingly crafted vignette starts.

And rise with me forever across the silent sand,
And the stars will be your eyes and the wind will be my hands.
Handsome Family – Far From Any Road (lyrics)

Being a crime series, the most intriguing part is not the solving of the crimes themselves. The most interesting part is the relationship between two completely different personalities. Marty is an extroverted hypocrit of a christian with an almost primtive attitude, but at the same time it’s impossible not to get sympathy for him. Rust on the other hand is an introverted, almost annoyingly self-controlled nihilist, with an almost authistic view for details. Despite the differences, they fulfill each other perfectly as partners, and it’s impossible not to love both characters. They are a perfect example of the diversities we see in people in general, and it’s really quite an interesting journey from a social anthropological point of view.

It’s hard to find something in a man who rejects people as much as you do.
Marty to Rust

I haven’t seen such an amazing series since last years Top of the Lake. Even though the latter doesn’t really reach the same level as True Detective, it kinda has the same gloominess and might appeal to the same audience. I feel that the psychological part plays a bit larger role in True Detective, and is probably what amazes me the most. The series is filled with heavy use of symbolism, making it fascinating to inpret their meanings. Probably needless to repeat how good this is. Just check it out. Now!

More information:
http://darknessbecomesyou.com/
http://www.hbo.com/#/true-detective
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2356777/

Black Milk Clothing launches Game of Thrones Collection

March 10, 2014 by Line Evensen Leave a Comment

Some time ago we came across the news that Black Milk Clothing were to launch a new collection featuring a Game of Thrones theme. And now the time has come! The collection launches March 11th, 2014 – tomorrow. The winter is definitely coming! And you better be prepared, ’cause some of the pieces are limited edition. Here at Black Forest Mag, we are great fans of Game of Thrones, and I – being a black metal chick – love most of the stuff which comes from Black Milk. If you never heard of them, we urge you to visit their website and check out their Instagram and Pinterest.

They are a clothing line which mainly focuses on leggings, tight dresses, bodies and stash – everything nylon. Best known are probably the Star Wars collection, and Black Milks generally playfulness with pretty nerdy themes (like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter etc).

Well, back to the new GoT-collection. What about a legging with the map of Westeros? Or a little dress with dragon scales? Here are some of our favourites from the collection: