American Birkebeiner

In two weeks the American Birkebeiner festival is going to start. 40.000 people will be there either skiing the race, cheering, volunteering or just beeing part of the tradition. Also the world’s best long distance skiers are coming to Hayward in Wisconsin since the American Birkebeiner replaces the Tartu Marathon as 5th FIS Worldloppet Cup stage. This conditions are the best for presenting the movie about the legend the whole event is based on: BIRKEBEINERNE. 

Magnolia Pictures, in collaboration with the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, are announcing the North American premiere of the extraordinary Norwegian feature film THE LAST KING (Birkebeinerne). The event will mark the first time the film will be viewed publicly on North American soil.

THE LAST KING is rooted in Norwegian history and tells the story of the very legacy upon which the American Birkebeiner ski marathon is based. In 1206, Norway was ravaged by civil war, and a boy, Prince Haakon Haakonsson, the illegitimate baby son of a Norwegian king, was guarded in secrecy. He was a boy that half the kingdom was out to kill and whom two brave Birkebeiner warriors, so called because of their birch bark leggings, vowed to protect with their very lives by skiing the infant prince over the Norwegian mountains to safety. THE LAST KING is the story of the escape which forever changed the history of Norway.

“Once we learned of the American Birkebeiner ski marathon, we knew we wanted to share the film with this fiercely dedicated group of adventurous spirits,” said Neal Block, Magnolia Pictures Head of Distribution.

In homage to the races roots, every year the American Birkebeiner reenacts the historic flight of the Birkebeiner warriors, Torstein and Skervald, when two skiers in full traditional costume and on wooden skis reenact the escape along the entire 55K classic cross-country race course, surrounded by over 10,000 other determined skiers. Along the race course, the warriors are joined by Prince Haakon’s mother, Inga. The Birkebeiner warriors carry a baby doll throughout the journey and pick up an infant child to ski with them over the International Bridge, toward the finish line, and the thousands of cheering fans on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. It is a true celebration of the roots, legacy and traditions of the race.

“We can’t think of a more fitting place to debut THE LAST KING and can’t imagine an audience more passionate about this story,” said Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Executive Director. “We are grateful to Magnolia Pictures for the honor of sharing this legacy film with skiers and fans of the Birkebeiner story.”

Tickets, showing times and other information to find on the official Birkie website.