“Kon-tiki” is the story of a man who believes that South Americans populated Polynesia by traveling there by raft. He sets out to prove his theory by building a raft using only materials available during the period Polynesia was found and taking the same trip South Americans would have to take. It is a story of perseverance, belief, determination, and guts. Here are some fun facts about Norway’s “Kon-tiki.”
‘Kon-tiki’ is a Fictional Re-telling of a True Story
A writer didn’t just make up the idea of a man determined to sail the seas by raft, it really happened. Thor Heyerdahl believed his theory and proved it. “Kon-tiki” is a fictional re-telling from Heyerdahl’s young beginnings and shows the world his theory, his raft, his voyage, and his success.
‘Kon-tiki’ is a Fictional Remake of a Documentary
The real Thor Heyerdahl took a camera with him on the trip and filmed the entire thing. The footage was compiled and edited into a documentary called “Kon-tiki.” The new “Kon-tiki” provides more background information on Heyerdahl and his trip, but also focuses on the trip itself that the real Heyerdahl filmed.
Both Films Earned Oscar Nominations
The original “Kon-Tiki” documentary won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. It was Norway’s first Oscar win, and so far, Norway’s only Oscar win. The new “Kon-tiki” has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It would be interesting if Norway’s most famous traveler wins the country it’s second Oscar statue.
‘Kon-tiki’ Was Shot On the Ocean to Mimic the Original
Instead of using a set, blue screens, and computers to create the ocean, the filmmakers for “Kon-tiki” decided to use the real ocean. This not only makes the scene beyond beautiful to look at, but also made filming more challenging. Those challenges mimicked the challenges the original sailors faced and makes the movie more realistic.
‘Kon-tiki’ is Norway’s Most Expensive Film
In another twist of fun fate, “Kon-tiki” is Norway’s most expensive film while the original documentary is probably the cheapest. The new film was not made on sets, but on location and on the ocean, which must have cost a fortune to get right. The original used a 16mm camera.
Both Films Star Lorita the Parrot
The original documentary had only six men and one parrot named Lorita. Lorita was on camera throughout much of the documentary since there wasn’t much else to film. The new film had hundreds of crew and a parrot. The new film includes Lorita, as it should because she was so important in the original, but she doesn’t get quite as much screen time.
