Is this movie based on actual norwedish folklore, or "folklore" that exists solely in the universe of the movie?
I've googled "Thale" and the only references I could find were to this movie, and to a german city called "Thale". But the trailers for this give the impression that there is an actual character in the local folklore called "Thale." If that's the case, I can't find any info on her.
"Feeling Stupid? I know I am!" - Homer J. Simpson
Yes, huldra is traditional Norwegian folklore. She is one of the “underground” (literally) people, who lives under ground, inside hills and mountains. (And there are many different “species”.) But the legend tell they look more like humans than the other “hulders” in the movie. The female is often very beautiful, just different with the tale. Thale is a common Norwegian(?) girl name, by the way, and "hale" is the norwegian word for tale. Some legends tells that if you are able to sneak close to huldra and throw steel (like a knife) over (not hitting) her, she will loose the tale and become your faithful and beautiful bride. But if she sees you she will lure you underground by magic, and you are prisoned there forever.
More on English in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huldra
If you are able to get hold of some translations of Norwegian Folktales, for instances by “Asbjørnsen and Moe”, you might find some stories about huldra there. (Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Folktales )
Good luck!
There are a lot of technical issues in capturing a Thale bride. If you went out with a bow and an aluminium arrow, and fired that over her head, would her tail drop off and would she happily marry the archer?
Also, a tail-free Thale may be extremely beautiful, but are they known for their interesting personalities, their university degrees or, at least, their lively and inquiring minds? In short, beauty aside, would a fellow who married an ex-Thale be guaranteed a happy marriage?
I dunno, but these fairy tale brides just aren't keeping up with the times. A good figure and a pretty face can go a long way, but it's rarely enough in itself.
____
"If you ain't a marine then you ain't *beep*
I think Thale is what they named her. She is meant to be a huldra, which you CAN google and find out quite a lot about. I did, and it explained many of the things in the movie that had me mystified. ^_^
Lethe
It might be simmilar or the same as the swedish mythological "rå" creatures such as "Skogsrå" (perhaps translated as *watcher of the forest*).
In swedish but maybe translation will work.
http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A5_(mytologi)
Yes, it's the same thing, only a bit different appearance. Skogsrået is often depicted with a tree trunk-ish back, or even a hollow rotten trunk (have you seen Äppelkriget/Apple War?)
For the heart life is simple, it beats as long as it can.