Anja Breien: key obituary facts
Is Anja Breien dead? Yes. Anja Breien died on May 10, 2026, at age 85.
Cause of death: Anja Breien's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Anja Breien known for?
She was known as Norwegian film director.
More about Anja Breien
Born: 12 July 1940.
Place of birth: Oslo.
Place of death: Oslo.
Gender: female.
Occupation: film director, screenwriter, theatre director, film screenwriter.
Nationality: Norway.
Education: Institut des hautes études cinématographiques.
Awards: Gina Krog Prize, The Amanda Committee's Honorary Award, Arne Skouen's Honour Award, Filmkritikerprisen.
Occupations: Film director, screenwriter.
Years active: 1967–2026.
Anja Breien, a Norwegian film director and screenwriter, died on May 10, 2026, at the age of 85.
She was among the leading figures in the Norwegian film industry and one of the first women to rise to prominence as a writer-director in Norway. Her work in fiction and documentary explored social and political issues, including women’s rights within Norwegian society.
Breien directed films including Arven, Rape, and Games of Love and Loneliness. Born in Oslo in 1940, she studied French at the University of Oslo and graduated from the French film school L’Institut des hautes études cinématographiques in 1964. She began her film career as a script supervisor in 1961 and later worked as an assistant director on Hunger (Sult) in 1966.
Anja Breien, 85, Norwegian film director (Arven, Rape, Games of Love and Loneliness).