SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2016
This popular film festival returns to Sydney for its third year, showcasing 22 exhilarating films from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland.
Festival-goers have a wide selection of films to choose from – romantic comedies, thrillers, historical dramas and documentaries which are inadvertently travel brochures for these Nordic countries.
“The landscapes are breathtaking and it’s hard to watch these films and not want to go there! Scandinavians also seem quite outdoorsy and have a real connection to nature and water so we have that in common,” explained festival director Elysia Zeccola.
“I think the quality of filmmaking and the ability to tell a story really stands out. Characters are developed, scripts are sophisticated and the acting is subtle. These films are multi-award winning and feature some of Europe’s biggest stars.”
Norway has produced its first disaster film entitled The Wave, and it seems Scandinavian filmmakers are diversifying to fulfil movie-goer’s ever-changing expectations.
“This is a terrific disaster film, set in a stunning Northern fjord where a devastating tsunami is a real threat. There might be a perception that Scandis only make gritty crime dramas, but this line-up has everything from hilarious box office hits like A Holy Mess and A Man called Ove from Sweden, to contemporary relationship dramas Reykjavik and the slightly surreal Parents. Scandinavians are known for their droll humour too, and the comedies can be pretty black, like opening night film Welcome To Norway. I think Australians appreciate this sense of humour.”
This film festival had a great reaction in its first year, with a 20% increase last year to over 26,000 admissions. Elysia attends the prestigious Berlin and Cannes film festivals every year in February and May to select films, meeting with sales agents and making contacts for the stars they would like to attend the festival (this year it’s Norwegian actor Jakob Oftebro).
As to which are her top two films screening at the festival? An enthused Zeccola replied, “Land Of Mine – this is the best film I’ve seen all year, it is an absolutely stunning festival highlight, and Nice People – When I saw this in Berlin I ran out and tracked down the sales agent because I had to have it. It’s funny, touching and has a huge heart.”
“Escape winter with a glass of red and an excellent film – you can’t go wrong with this line-up, the films are all top-notch,” concluded Zeccola. (MMo)
Jul 5–27. Palace Norton St, Palace Verona & Palace Chauvel. $19-$130 (10 films). Tickets & info: scandinavianfilmfestival.com
