The new film WALL WALL WALL is about the duo’s pandemic project, which almost broke the friendship between Chirag and Magdi. In the film, we follow them through two dramatic years, where they invest a lot of money and time in a show that will be performed for 100 people. The project was intended as a gift to the fans, and almost 500 hours of the process were filmed.
– The description of the film states that the Skien project almost cost you your friendship. Was there one particular moment where some of you thought – now it does not work anymore?
– I thought about it several times, says Chirag to Good Evening Norway during the premiere.
He still says that he can think about almost everything, and that he never considered actually leaving the project and leaving Magdi alone with it.
Started with a housing ad
The project, which has now become a film, started with Magdi coming across an advertisement on Finn. The ad was for a theater house in Skien that was to be sold. The house was a 127-year-old historic building, named Festiviteten. It was valued at the staggering sum of 13 million kroner, and in the autumn of 2018 it was taken over by Karpe.
At the time, Karpe’s manager Silje Borgan said TV 2 that the house should be used to work, practice and test out any ideas they have. But when the pandemic occurred, it became the home for their new project and upcoming film.
The film is directed by Tommy Gulliksen and Erik Treimann. They were given free rein by Karpe, and the rap duo has had zero control over the editing and direction. When asked if there is anything they would like to cut away, they answer:
– Immediately I would probably take out quite a lot, but what had I achieved then? asks Magdi.
– A “fake” documentary, Chirag answers quickly.
Previous major films
This is not the first time the rap duo has made a film. In 2017, they had huge success with the experimental concert film Goodbye Montebello.
The film was about the end of the musical and visual project «Heisann Montebello», which offered fantastic songs, ambitious music videos and magnificent live shows – among them three historical and sold-out concerts in Oslo Spektrum.
Goodbye Montebello was nominated for four Amanda Awards, where they eventually won for “best production design”. More than 50,000 cinema tickets were also sold for it in four days.
First time on red carpet
There were several celebrities who had taken the trip to the premiere, including Emilie Nicolas and her boyfriend Herbert Nordrum. The latter was today nominated for the Amanda Award for Best Supporting Actor.
– Emilie Nicolas herself has worked a lot with Karpe. Photo: Amalie Jacobsen
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– It feels very good, I am very happy, Nordrum answers on the red carpet.
The couple also had their first time together on the red carpet.
– Now it is «instaofficial», says Nordrum and laughs.
Soon anniversary
Karpe, formerly Karpe Diem, was formed in 2000 and consists of Chirag Rashmikant Patel (37) and Magdi Omar Ytreeide Abdelmaguid (38). Since they debuted with the EP Shards of glass in 2004, the duo released seven albums and won as many Spellemann awards.
During these years, they have become some of Norway’s most profiled artists, and they are known for challenging the typical Norwegian music genre. In 2019, they released the 30-minute song SAS Plus SAS Pussy. It was a huge success, and got, among other things, dice roll 5 in VG.
New project
After over two years with a break from music, they released the album this winter Omar Sheriff. The album was a great success, and topped the charts in Norway for a long time.
This summer, they will perform at several festivals, including Bergen Fest. In August, they will also finally play their 10 concerts in Oslo Spektrum, which has been postponed for a long time due to the pandemic.
The rap duo has thus been through a lot in recent years, from a friendship that almost smoked to planning big live shows in the spectrum.
– It is said that couples who manage to stay together through renovation, last a lifetime. Does that apply to you too?
– If it’s true, then it will be for life yes! Chirag answers.
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