In the mid-1990s, Norwegian extremist youth groups were at war and violent confrontations between anti-fascists and neo-Nazis were frequent. It was then that filmmaker Karen Winther, a teenage member of a left-wing activist group, made a choice that has haunted her ever since.

The Betrayal gradually wends its way towards Karen’s secret and her emotional journey into her rebellious teenage years. Trying to discover what possessed her back then, she has intense and painful conversations with her mother and interviews former friends with whom she is no longer on speaking terms. Slowly, a picture emerges of Karen as a lonely adolescent looking for affirmation. Will redemption be possible?

This is the filmmaker’s personal journey to confronting a dark past, and a story about both left and right wing extremism.

*Available in HD

Watch trailer (external link to IDFA 2011 website)

The Betrayal

Festivals and Awards

Winner: Best Student Documentary, Grierson Awards 2012

Winner: Student Doc Award, Sheffield Doc/Fest 2012

Winner: Best Student Documentary, IDFA 2011