Burn the Place you Hide

Burn the Place You Hide from 2016 is a biographical documentary centering on the life and career of Norwegian influential musician Thomas Hansen, also known as Saint Thomas. This compelling Norwegian-English language film is a testament to the struggles and joys of a unique artist who touched the people around him profoundly. With Espen Mellingen and Terje Hansen among others offering engaging contributions, the film is directed by Richard Knights and Adriel de la Torre.

The film opens at the height of Hansen's success, a moment when his dreamy, melancholic music found an international audience, only to be abruptly halted by his premature death in 2007. It then travels back in time to his early years, showing a sensitive boy growing up in a foster home in Oslo, who found solace in music. As we delve deeper into his life, a multi-faceted character emerges – a man blessed with extraordinary musical talent, yet plagued by personal demons and a troubled soul that fueled his lyrics.

Thomas Hansen was an enigmatic figure in the music industry. His unique singing style, a fusion of folk, rock, and country, combined with his lyrical genius, set him apart from his contemporaries. More than just introducing his music to the world, the film celebrates his artistry, revealing the world through his eyes, his struggles, his victories, and ultimately, his tragic end.

Burn the Place You Hide also touches on Hansen's battles with alcoholism and depression, revealing his internal strife and offering an intimate look at the man behind the heartrending songs. It's a hauntingly honest portrayal of his capricious life, drawing on rare archive footage, interviews with his close friends, family, and fellow musicians, intertwined with animated sequences to blurrily recreate his concerts and personal anecdotes.

The documentary echoes Hansen's music in structure, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, humor, tears, simplicity, and complexity. His music, filled with raw emotion, resonates strongly in every scene of the documentary, making it a touching tribute to a life lived in the pursuit of art despite personal trials. A fascinating and thoughtful exploration of the fragile balance between artistic genius and personal torment, Burn the Place You Hide delves into the themes of creativity, mental health, and the therapeutic power of music.

Espen Mellingen, a close friend, and contributor to the film, shares insights into Hansen’s life and music. Terje Hansen, a bandmate and confidant, provides an inside scoop into the creative process and personal dynamics. They both depict their relationships, shared experiences, and the collective joy and heartbreak of being associated with a talented but tormented artist like Hansen, adding a layer of authenticity and warm empathy to the narrative.

The audience will follow the short, troubled life of a genius musician who was able to cloak his inner pain with jovial charisma. Hansen's songs, his struggles, and his moments of joy are captured with care, revealing a man who lived life on his terms despite his problems, using his music as a catharsis and a connection to a world he often found overwhelming.

Burn the Place You Hide doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of Hansen's life, instead choosing to show the man as he was – entirely human, hugely flawed, and immensely talented. The haunting beauty of this documentary lies in its unflinching honesty, its respect for the musician, and its sympathy for the man.

It's a film that explores the man behind the music, the complex and unique individual who created beautiful and melancholic songs despite, and perhaps because of, his struggles. Burn the Place You Hide is a heartfelt journey into the life of a Norwegian singing poet, Thomas Hansen, a man who burned brightly, fuelled by raw talent and personal demons. It's a tribute, a eulogy, and ultimately a celebration of the man and his music.

In conclusion, Burn the Place You Hide is a poignant and compassionate exploration of the life of a sensitive artist, whose introspective and evocative music touched hearts internationally. It serves as a sobering reminder of the often tragic consequences of mental health struggles, even as it celebrates the experience, the spirit, and the unwavering passion of a misunderstood musical genius.