22 July (2018) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The film follows the attacks in Oslo and Utøya, their consequences for survivors, and the legal process that follows.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Bombing and the Island

Breivik bombs the government quarter in Oslo while young people attend the AUF camp on Utøya. After hearing about the bombing, Viljar checks that his parents are safe.

Key Events

• Breivik Prepares the Bombing — Breivik dresses as a police officer and loads a van with homemade explosives. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik Location: Oslo
• Government Quarter Targeted — Breivik leaves the explosive-laden van outside the Prime Minister's office. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Prime Minister Stoltenberg Location: Regjeringskvartalet, Oslo
• Oslo Bombing — The van explodes outside the government offices, causing several casualties. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Prime Minister Stoltenberg Location: Regjeringskvartalet, Oslo
• AUF Summer Camp — Teenagers attend the Labour Party's Workers' Youth League summer camp. Characters: Viljar Hanssen, Torje Hanssen Location: Utøya
• Viljar Checks on His Parents — After hearing about the bombing, Viljar calls his parents to check that they are safe. Characters: Viljar Hanssen Location: Utøya

A False Promise of Safety

Breivik uses a police disguise and false claim to reach Utøya. Once there, he orders the children gathered, kills the camp leader and head of security, and begins shooting.

Key Events

• Arrival at the Ferry Landing — Breivik claims he is a police officer sent to secure the island. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Utøya Camp Leader Location: Utøya ferry landing
• The Boat Trip to Utøya — The camp leader transports Breivik to the island. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Utøya Camp Leader Location: Boat crossing to Utøya
• Children Ordered to Gather — Breivik instructs staff to gather the children in one location. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Utøya Camp Leader, Utøya Security Location: Utøya
• Security Requests Identification — The head of security asks Breivik to show identification. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Utøya Security Location: Utøya
• Camp Staff Are Killed — Breivik shoots and kills the security head and camp leader. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Utøya Camp Leader, Utøya Security Location: Utøya
• The Island Shooting Begins — Children flee as Breivik opens fire and kills dozens. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik Location: Utøya

The Brothers Under Fire

Viljar and Torje hide on a rocky embankment as the attack continues. Breivik finds them and shoots Viljar, while Torje escapes unharmed; Breivik later surrenders.

Key Events

• Brothers Hide on the Shore — Viljar and Torje hide together; Viljar calls his mother during the shooting. Characters: Viljar Hanssen, Torje Hanssen Location: Rocky embankment on Utøya
• Breivik Finds the Brothers — Breivik finds the hiding group and shoots Viljar multiple times; Torje escapes unharmed. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik, Viljar Hanssen, Torje Hanssen Location: Rocky embankment on Utøya
• Breivik Surrenders — Breivik surrenders to a tactical team and is taken inland for interrogation. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik Location: Utøya

The Legal and Moral Struggle

Breivik makes claims about the Knights Templar and seeks legal representation from Geir Lippestad. Lippestad considers an insanity defense, while Breivik insists he wants to be declared competent.

Key Events

• Claims About Knights Templar — Breivik claims to lead the Knights Templar and says more attacks will follow on his signal. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik Location: Interrogation setting
• Lippestad Accepts the Case — Breivik requests Lippestad's aid, and the lawyer accepts the professional duty of representation. Characters: Geir Lippestad, Anders Behring Breivik Location: Legal proceedings
• Insanity Defense Considered — Lippestad considers an insanity defense with specialists; Breivik wants to be declared competent. Characters: Geir Lippestad, Anders Behring Breivik Location: Legal proceedings

Recovery and Testimony

Viljar wakes from a coma, returns home, and relearns to walk while coping with memories of the attack. Supported by his mother and another survivor, he testifies in court, where Breivik receives a 21-year sentence that can be extended.

Key Events

• Viljar Begins Recovery — Viljar wakes from a coma, returns home, and works to walk again. Characters: Viljar Hanssen Location: Hospital and home
• Viljar Testifies in Court — With support from his mother and another survivor, Viljar recounts the massacre as a witness. Characters: Viljar Hanssen, Anders Behring Breivik Location: Courtroom
• Breivik Receives His Sentence — Breivik is sentenced to 21 years, extendable if he remains a danger to society. Characters: Anders Behring Breivik Location: Courtroom

Story Breakdown

• Oslo Bombing — Breivik targets the government quarter before the attack on Utøya.
  • Explosive Van — Breivik loads a van with homemade explosives while dressed in a police uniform.
  • Government Offices — He leaves the van outside Prime Minister Stoltenberg's office, where it explodes and causes casualties.
• Camp on Utøya — Young people gather for an AUF summer camp as news of the Oslo bombing reaches the island.
  • Parents Called — Viljar phones his parents after learning about the bombing to check that they are safe.
  • False Police Claim — Breivik claims he has been sent to secure the island after the Oslo attack.
• Access to the Island — Breivik gains passage to Utøya through his deception.
  • Ferry Landing — Breivik presents himself as a police officer at the ferry landing.
  • Boat Crossing — The camp leader transports Breivik to the island by boat.
• The Island Massacre — The deceptive arrival becomes a violent attack on the camp.
  • Staff Killed — Breivik shoots the camp leader and the head of security after the latter asks for identification.
  • Children Flee — Breivik opens fire, and the children flee as dozens are murdered.
• Brothers in Hiding — Viljar and Torje try to survive the shooting together.
  • Rocky Embankment — The brothers hide on a rocky embankment by the beach.
  • Viljar Shot — Breivik finds the group and shoots Viljar multiple times; Torje escapes unharmed.
• Surrender and Claims — The attack ends with Breivik's surrender and his statements to authorities.
  • Tactical Team — Breivik surrenders and is taken inland for interrogation.
  • Knights Templar Claim — Breivik claims to lead the Knights Templar and threatens further attacks on his signal.
• Defense and Diagnosis — Lippestad faces the professional and moral challenges of representing Breivik.
  • Lawyer Requested — Breivik requests Lippestad's help, and Lippestad accepts the duty of representation.
  • Competency Dispute — Lippestad considers an insanity defense with specialists, while Breivik wants to be declared competent.
• Viljar's Recovery — Viljar lives with severe injuries and works toward returning to everyday life.
  • Awakening from Coma — Viljar wakes from a coma and returns home with his family.
  • Learning to Walk — Viljar relearns to walk while haunted by memories of the attack.
• Courtroom Reckoning — Viljar gives an account of the massacre, and the court sentences Breivik.
  • Survivor Testimony — With support from his mother and another survivor, Viljar testifies about the massacre.
  • Twenty-One-Year Sentence — Breivik receives a 21-year sentence that can be extended if he remains a danger to society.

Directed by

Paul Greengrass

Key Cast

• Jonas Strand Gravli — Viljar Hanssen
• Anders Danielsen Lie — Anders Behring Breivik
• Jon Øigarden — Geir Lippestad
• Seda Witt — Lara Rashid
• Ola G. Furuseth — Prime Minister Stoltenberg