This is Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden as you’ve literally NEVER seen them before as the Norwegian triathlon superstars hit the world of anime and film.
Blummenfelt and Iden have carried all before them in recent years – winning every major prize in the sport between them. But now the boys from Bergen have a new look, as Viking warriors in the short film ‘Tri-Kings’.
Released on Wednesday, it portrays the 29-year-old Blummenfelt and 27-year-old Iden bidding to ‘find the flame burning within themselves to succeed in a fantasy realm that includes formidable opponents and obstacles’.
With Norse gods watching on, sea serpents and sirens try to lure ‘Gustav The Great’ and ‘Kristian The Unstoppable’ off the course, mysterious charioteers give chase, a living forest stands in their way, and a perilous run amid the clouds has the Tri-Kings pushing themselves to unknown limits in pursuit of victory’.
It’s a pretty cool concept, the brainchild of Creative Director Simon Brotherson and top animator Yibi Hu and commissioned by shoe giant On. After all, what’s not to like about showing people who do incredible things as superheroes? You can watch the whole thing by clicking on the video embed below.
Blummenfelt and Iden on ‘Tri-Kings’
Not surprisingly the two stars of the show were pretty pleased with the end result, as they prepare for a premiere of the film on the Cote d’Azur later this week.
“I had high expectations before I saw the film,” said Iden. “I’ve done a lot of different film projects in the past, but nothing comes close to this.
“Norse mythology has grown quite a lot [in popularity] over the last decade because of various Hollywood movies, but I was a fan long before that. I am proud of my Norwegian and Viking heritage. Still, I don’t feel like a warrior most of the time. I was happy to have Kristian by my side.”
Blummenfelt meanwhile revealed: “It’s us against the world. [The film] summarises quite well what it feels like in real life – with some exaggerations, of course. How we have to fight these obstacles on the way.
“The important thing is how you’re able to deal with those and move on. It feels special to be portrayed as a Viking warrior. To be out there in the wild, no matter the conditions. That strength and rawness of Vikings is well represented.”
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