Sandberg's Tragic Techniques In Kon-Tiki

Naturally, one would assume that a story about a group of men floating around the ocean on a raft would be full. However, Kon-Tiki, a film directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, vividly describes the dramatic expedition led by the legendary explorer, Thor Heyerdal. Throughout the movie, the group endures various situations that the actual explorers endured. One incident in the movie that demonstrates this point is when Thor encounters two sharks while attempting to film the main raft from the lifeboat. Fortunate to be alive, Thor narrowly escapes the sharks as the group pulls the lifeboat into the main raft. Delineating the exciting expedition, numerous events such as this one take place throughout the film. As the story progresses,

For example, the story opens up with Thor, as a small child, almost drowning in an icy lake in an attempt to retrieve an ice cutting saw. Not only does this entertain the audience with its dramatic impact, but it also foreshadows Thor’s risky behavior and its consequences. Aside from this event, the movie continually depicts scenes of vicious storms and dangerous encounters with sharks, though the latter may seem redundant to certain viewers. Specifically, one incident that demonstrates this is the first storm, in which Thor remarks, “It’s nothing, let them sleep” just moments before the boat is tossed around on the waves, becoming so severe that the crew had to cut the sail to avoid further damage. Unfortunately, the storm proves to be only the first of the crew’s extensive amount of challenges. Outside of the events at sea, Thor’s initial struggle in his research and finding support creates a more personal connection by including the difficulties Thor faced. And, as Thor finally proves his theory, the scene causes the audience to be joyful with Thor and the crew as the group celebrates on the beach. As Thor transitions from spending ten years on a theory, to attempting to publish the theory, to then going on this expedition and finally proving it, the audience experiences the events of an important part of Polynesian history with the full retelling of these dramatic

In the beginning of the movie, the setting changes between different countries such as the United States, Norway, Peru, and Polynesia, which all add background to the story as Thor prepares for the trip across the ocean, which statistics say lasted around 5000 miles. However, once the scene changes to the ocean, the frequent jumps from country to country within the story cease to allow the ocean to aid in character development. One reason why the ocean is significant is because it is exotic. An incident displaying this is when the group of men witness creatures within the ocean that glow, amazing all of them. Added to the sharks and intense storm, the ocean provides an exciting visual aspect of the film. In addition, the ocean also provides a deeper meaning through symbolism. Oceans, which are usually not seen as more significant than a large body of water, in this movie express the idea of isolation of the group from the world. Even Thor warns Herman in the beginning that there will be no one to help them while the group is out on the ocean. As the raft drifts along the currents of the ocean, events such as the bird cutting the wire for the radio, the various shark attacks, and the storms all demonstrate how fragile and helpless the men were while the boat was stuck in the middle of the ocean. Without being able to call for help, the men resort to their own