‘Facing War,’ Documentary on Former NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg, to Open CPH:DOX

Tommy Gulliksen’s documentary “Facing War,” which depicts Jens Stoltenberg’s final year as NATO secretary general, has been selected as the opening film of the Copenhagen Intl. Documentary Film Festival, a.k.a. CPH:DOX. The festival runs March 19-30.

“Facing War” will also compete for CPH:DOX’s main prize, the DOX:AWARD, which recognizes the best documentary. The film will have its world premiere in the concert hall of the Royal Danish Academy of Music on March 19.

“In a time when new global political crises are piling up, and the Western world’s defense alliance seems to be unraveling, Jens Stoltenberg is regarded as one of the great diplomatic beacons,” the festival commented. Originally, he was set to step down as NATO’s secretary general at the end of his term, but with a war in Europe and the prospect of growing divisions among the alliance’s member states, the Norwegian top diplomat was persuaded by the then-U.S. president to remain in the position.

“Facing War” offers a look into Stoltenberg’s final year as NATO’s secretary general. It is a year filled with challenges, as he has promised Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the alliance will stand by Ukraine for as long as necessary. However, fears that the war in Ukraine could spread to the rest of Europe increase tensions among the 32 allied countries, and Stoltenberg must rely on all his diplomatic skills to keep the alliance united.

Fortunately, the Norwegian politician is a master of the delicate art of compromise and understands the importance of a well-timed gesture of support. And when negotiating with figures like Recep Erdoğan and Viktor Orbán, it is the small details that can make all the difference.

“We are delighted to kick off this year’s festival with the world premiere of such a highly relevant film, which takes us deep behind the diplomatic negotiations and twists that followed—and continue to follow—in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At a time when the rules-based world order, established after 1945, is under serious pressure, the importance of diplomacy and stable international alliances that have upheld it is as clear as ever,” Niklas Engstrøm, artistic director of CPH:DOX, said.

“‘Facing War’ offers a rare insight into how these alliances, especially when under threat, require leadership and finesse to maintain the necessary stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.”

The film will also be streamed to a large number of theaters across Denmark as part of the nationwide project DOX:DANMARK.

“Facing War” is directed by Tommy Gulliksen and produced by Dox Division in co-production with NRK, SVT and Think-Film Impact Production. The film is supported by NFI, Oslo Film Fund, Viken Filmsenter, Fritt Ord, Nordisk Film & TV Fond, Impact Partners, the Bergesen Foundation, and the Fund for Sound and Image.