Top Picks from Christof Wehmeier; Head of International and Festival Promotion at the Icelandic Film Centre
https://scandinavianfilmfestival.com/festival-guest
THE RIOT from Norway, from the renowned Norwegian director Nils Gaup. Based upon true events that took place during the 20th century in Norway. Human rights are the main film‘s topic. Fight for your rights and justice for all kind of classic story telling from Nils Gaup. Very traditional but a classic tale of human triumphs over injustice.
SONGS OF EARTH from Norway, from Margreth Olin. Beautiful portrait of nature and life itself. Very personal and so true and authentic and very orginal. Homage to earth and nature. And gratitude to the people that brought us up in this world, our parents, mums and dads.
BEFORE IT ENDS from Denmark by Andes Walk. There are still great stories from the Second World War that needs telling. Human story about courage and the will for surviving. Great performances from one of the best Danish actors, Pilou Asbæk.
SONS from Denmark by Gustav Möller. Very strong to the core which shows that Gustav Möller from „The Guilty“ fame, knows how to keep the audiences breathless and screaming for more. His voyage as a director, has just begun. There is more to come from him. One to watch for.
THE MISSILE from Finland. Very fresh, interesting and unbelievalble true story. Lingers with your subconscious mind long after the screening. The film is so authentic and realistic.
THE TUNDRA WITHIN from Norway. Sami culture , so rich, beautiful and realistic love story, it‘s a complex love story but shows uplifting feel good experiences that the audiences can easily relate to. Relations and relationships are complex but rewarding.
HAMMERSKJÖLD from Sweden, directed by Per FLy. Electrifying performances from Mikael Persbrandt. It‘s like „Schindler‘s List“, the Swedish way. Got me glued to the screen from the first minute. Great recreation of the era, from the 60‘s and superb production set design and set pieces. Greatly researched and executed. Top notch entertainment.
Last but not least, of course I need to mention WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS from Iceland by Rúnar Rúnarsson. Beautiful film about young people and how they tackle loss and grief. Beautifully shot and the soundrack is mindblowing.
And then there‘s TOUCH, the most personal film of Baltasar Kormákur. Beautiful and timeless love story that crosses all international borders of feelings. There will be some few tears running down your cheeks at the end of the film but they are happy ones.
The 2024 SAXO Scandinavian Film Festival runs from July – August, see www.scandinavianfilmfestival.
