The Great Seagull Movie
A documentary in development
An existential drama from the nearest rooftop
There is not a person in Norway who does not have a relationship with the seagull. They have been a symbol of vibrant nature when they have flocked over herring shoals and fishing boats. Now that has turned upside down. The seagull is now one of many species that warn of a world in crisis. For some of the seagull species, we are talking about a reduction of up to 80% within a few decades. In order to find food and protection, they have left islets and skerries and moved into the cities, where the level of conflict is high. Even though many politicians say that the seagulls should stay away from city centers, they refuse to leave. The Great Seagull Movie is a playful, serious and entertaining documentary that explores the complex relationship between seagulls and humans.
In the film we meet characters who in different ways have a close relationship with the seagull, for better or worse. Although the seagull is a bird that is popularly hated, there are many who also love it. On the surface it may look like a casual interest or irritation, but if you dig deeper you find deep psychological mechanisms, the quest to create meaning in life and a story about man's place in nature.
Can we learn to live with seagulls in the city? 10 years ago, a new species of seagull moved into Tromsø city. The Kittiwake. The species is heading for extinction, and is no longer able to raise its young on the bird cliffs along the coast. With its notorious fouling of facades and intense noise, it quickly became an unwelcome refugee. Nevertheless, the number of kittiwakes in Tromsø is increasing every year.
Among all the measures being taken to get it away from buildings and roofs, there is one that stands out. A project that oozes ingenuity, drive and hope. Hotels where the kittiwkaes can nest. Living works of art that can give them a chance in the fight for existence. In 2025, the project took the step up from small mobile installations to a large permanent hotel.
Can The Kittiwake Hotel redefine the conflict-filled relationship between the kittiwakes and the rest of the city's population?
