Ulrik Imtiaz Rolfsen has his background in commercials and music videos. He made his feature film debut with the crime/action-thriller Izzat in 2005, to great success both critically and commercially. Rolfsen also wrote the original screenplay for the film, along with friend and fellow film professional Leon Bashir, for which they received a nomination for the Norwegian National Film Award Amanda for Best Screenplay. The film was also nominated in four other categories, including Best Film.
Rolfsen has since directed one of the films in the popular Varg Veum-franchise, Varg Veum - Bitter Flowers (2007), and the comedy crime-drama The Last Joint Venture in 2008. He has also written and directed the successful television series' Taxi, broadcasted by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK's primary channel NRK1 in the fall of 2011. The series was met with critical acclaim and high ratings, but also sparked controversy and some debate in the media, concerning it's portrayal of ill-doings in the Norwegian-Pakistani circles of the taxi-businesses in Oslo.
As such, Rolfsen - himself of both native Norwegian and Pakistani descent - has through his work (since his debut in 2005) also become known as a dedicated public debater, as he does not shy away from shining light upon controversial themes or voicing his opinions, be it in his fictional work, or as a debater in print or broadcasting media.
Norsk Filminstitutt
