This year’s Scandinavian Film Festival presents a superb showcase of the best new Nordic cinema – and a closing night classic.
Warm up your mid-winter with the selection of films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. A number of the films are arriving direct from this year’s Cannes Film Festival, too.
Opening the festival is The Australian premiere of ‘Margrete – Queen Of The North’, a lavish, historical drama from acclaimed director Charlotte Sieling. It explores the legacy and dilemmas faced by Denmark’s Queen Margrete (played by Trine Dyrholm).
Dyrholm can also be seen in ‘A Matter Of Trust’, a tender, moving portrait of interpersonal trust and unspoken truths, from Annette K. Olesen.
This year’s special presentation is ‘The Woodcutter Story’, the directorial debut of Mikko Myllylahti. In an idyllic village, Pepe the woodcutter’s life is suddenly torn apart by a series of tragic events over the course of a few days.
'The New Land'
For the food loving film goers out there, ‘A Taste Of Hunger’ is the story of a couple who sacrifice everything to get a coveted Michelin star for their restaurant. ‘Nordic By Nature’ presents an ancient microcosmos of Nordic history, a thriving seafood industry, stunning landscapes, eccentric personalities, a native tongue, and two-star Michelin culinary pearl KOKS – the world’s most remote food destination. Plus, ‘Tuesday Club’ tells the story of Karin, who is forced to re-evaluate her life after a sudden change. Friends, food and a reignited passion give Karin a reason to make a fresh start.
Scandi Screen Sirens are celebrated with ‘Casablanca’ (1942) starring Ingrid Bergman; ‘Queen Christina’ (1933) starring Greta Garbo; ‘The Wicker Man’ (1973) starring Britt Ekland; ‘The Serpent’s Egg’ (1977) starring Liv Ullmann; and closing night film ‘The New Land’ (1972), also starring Liv.
'So Damn Easy Going'
‘The New Land’ is the 1972 sequel to the original ‘The Emigrants’, and brings the 2022 Scandinavian Film Festival to a close. It stars Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann as Swedish immigrants who struggle to establish a new life for themselves in the forest of Minnesota in the mid 19th century. It was nominated for an Oscar in 1973, and won Best Foreign Language Film at the Golden Globes. In 2022, ‘The New Land’ celebrates its 50th anniversary.
‘Comedy Queen’ is a story of loss, anger and healing, and is the winner of the Berlinale Crystal Bear Award. It follows a 13-year-old girl who wants to become a stand-up comedian. Real life acclaimed Scandi comic Odd-Magnus Williamson stars in ‘Nothing To Laugh About’ as a successful stand-up comedian whose life is changed in a single day.
Other highlights throughout include ‘So Damn Easy Going’, ‘Pretty Young Thing’, ‘The Pact’, ’70 Is Just A Number’, and ‘Quake’ – ranging from comedies to psychological dramas, and all celebrating Scandinavian cinema.
Check out the full programme.
Scandinavian Film Festival 2022 Tour Dates
12 July-7 August – Palace Norton, Palace Central, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema (Sydney)13 July-7 August – Palace Electric (Canberra)
14 July-7 August – Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, The Astor Theatre (Melbourne)
19 July-10 August – Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas (Adelaide)
20 July-10 August – Luna Leederville, Luna On SX, Palace Raine Square (Perth)
20 July-10 August – Palace James Street, Palace Barracks (Brisbane)
22 July-10 August – Palace Byron Bay
