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Poster for Until the Light Takes Us

Until the Light Takes Us

2008 · 1h 33m · NOT RATED Documentary, Music
Directed by Aaron Aites

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Overview

Chronicles the history, ideology and aesthetic of Norwegian black metal, a musical subculture infamous as much for a series of murders and church arsons as it is for its unique musical and visual aesthetics. This is the first film to truly shed light on a movement that has heretofore been shrouded by rumor and obscured by inaccurate and shallow depictions. Featuring exclusive interviews with the musicians themselves, Until the Light Takes Us explores every aspect of the controversial movement that has captured the attention of the world.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
48%
Tomatometer
Rotten

Unfortunately, everything the neo-Vikings say is unchallenged.

Stephen Cole, Globe and Mail
Rotten

Their dedication to giving the players their moment on the podium prevented Aites and Ewell from asking provocative questions, or, it would seem, any questions at all.

Joan Anderman, Boston Globe
Rotten

In interviews with a few of the key players, the film desensationalizes the story without really demystifying it. It's an intriguing but shallow examination that never really finds a point of view about its subject.

Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
Fresh

This is worth seeing for its snapshot of countercultural delusion and the comedy of Varg "Count Grishnackh" Vikernes, pompous crypto-Nazi and incarcerated murderer, whining that the media have distorted his subtle social critique.

Cliff Doerksen, Chicago Reader
Rotten

That's all fascinating as far as it goes, but to some degree Vikernes is playing his liberal American guests.

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

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