It feels like I’ve known the work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch for as long as I can remember. His painting The Scream is one of the most recognizable works of art in history, immortalized in pop culture from movies to emojis. Its iconic, almost horror-laced image of a figure with hands to ears, mouth open in terror, is etched into the collective imagination. But Munch’s work is so much more than that single image. He offers a world beyond this frozen moment of panic, a deeper exploration of the human soul. I recently watched the Edvard Munch documentary Munch: Love, Ghosts, and Lady Vampires, and while I considered myself already well-versed in the artist’s works and history, I gained much insight while watching the film.
Several years ago, I took a particular interest in Munch’s body of work during my healing journey. At the time, I had just begun the process of claiming and healing from trauma. Drawing on my heritage has long been a constant source of comfort and healing for me—connecting with my loved ones, learning more about where I come from, and immersing myself in Scandinavian traditions. (That’s how I began writing about Scandinavian food so many years ago.) But in the summer of 2021, my exploration led me even deeper into folklore, mythology, and art, inspired by a dear friend who challenged me to look for magic and wonder in the world.
Munch’s art resonated with me in ways I didn’t expect. His paintings—like the melancholic man sitting alone with his hand to his chin along the shore, or the image of a man and woman seemingly worlds apart in Two People: The Lonely Ones, or his Madonna—all tell a story of love, anguish, and obsession. His women are depicted in a range of emotions, from desperation to ecstasy. These figures are both haunting and relatable, revealing the vulnerability and complexities of human relationships.
Recently, I had the opportunity to deepen my connection with Munch’s work through the documentary Munch: Love, Ghosts, and Lady Vampires, which was shown at SIFF Film Center in Seattle. Having visited the Munch Museum in Oslo last summer, where I saw The Scream, The Sun, and many other works in person, this documentary felt like a natural continuation of my exploration. The museum visit had been a profound experience—seeing these works up close, works that had influenced me over time, was nothing short of breathtaking.
The documentary, produced partly in conjunction with the opening of the new Munch Museum in 2021, gave me additional insight into Munch’s life—particularly his time in Kristiania (today’s Oslo). It explored his relationships, the bohemian culture of the period, and the artistic salons that were so vital to his development as an artist. While I had already known much about Munch’s grief and trauma—the deaths of his mother and sister, and his struggles with mental health—this film offered a new lens on the relationships that shaped his life and work.
The documentary used interviews with experts and a dramatized narration by Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, transporting the audience back to Munch’s Kristiania. We were given a glimpse into the cultural and intellectual circles that surrounded him—the friendships, rivalries, and love affairs that fueled his creative output. By the end, I felt as though I had gained a deeper understanding of Munch, not just as an artist, but as a man shaped by the time and place in which he lived.
At first, I found the dramatized narration somewhat jarring. The actor spoke with an intensity that reminded me of a stage production—deliberate and theatrical, with eyes full of emotion. But as the film progressed, this approach began to feel right. It added to the drama of Munch’s life and art, making the documentary feel alive rather than a simple retelling of facts.
The film left me wanting to explore more—about his relationships with women, his psychological experiences, and the deeper meanings behind his art. It was as if this documentary had opened another door into the world of Munch, a world that beckons me to continue looking for the ghosts, the love, and the mysteries hidden in his work.
I highly recommend the documentary to anyone looking to delve deeper into the world of this brilliant artist.
Click here to watch the Edvard Munch documentary trailer.
Munch: Love, Ghosts, and Lady Vampires is available on Amazon here.
Images seen in this post include The Scream (scene photos from my visits to the National Museum of Norway and the Munch Museum in Oslo), Madonna, Two Human Beings: The Lonely Ones, Summer Night: The Voice, and Melancholy.
