Scandinavian Film Festival
The Scandinavian Film Festival returns this year with a program of the most entertaining and highest quality movies from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
“We’ve seen that audiences are excited to return to cinemas for festivals and events because of the experience we at Palace Cinemas create which cannot be duplicated at home,” explained Elysia Zeccola, Festival Director. “Festivals present a curated selection of films that our loyal patrons have come to trust.”
The powerful multi-award winning opening night movie, Let The River Flow, from Norway is set against the backdrop of the Alta conflict and deals with the adverse effects a proposed dam at the site of the richest salmon-producing river in the country has upon the livelihood of the Samai people.
“I think this is a must-see highlight. When I saw this movie in Goteborg, where it won the Audience Award, I knew the story would resonate with local audiences,” enthused Zeccola. Enjoy a pre-film reception with Nordic flavours and your choice of a Scandi-licious cocktail or lingonberry mocktail.
For festival attendees who enjoy a good comedy Zeccola highly recommends Wild Game.
“This is a hilarious Icelandic take on the Italian hit Perfect Strangers – the most remade film in history! With an exciting ensemble cast, this is a wildly entertaining comedy of manners with an Icelandic twist.”
For lovers of classic horror flicks the closing night offering, Let The Right One In, delivers plenty of chills.
“When the story of a bullied 12 year-old boy who falls in love with the girl next door who happens to be a vampire was released 15 years ago, it became an instant cult classic of the vampire film genre because of its evocative depiction of childhood fears set against an icy Nordic backdrop.”
Ultimately would watching movies at this film festival be the next best thing to travelling to a Scandinavian country?
“In today’s troubled times of overpriced flights, a visit to a luxurious cinema to see these stunning Nordic landscapes on the big screen is definitely the next best thing to getting on a plane. Take a Scandi Spritz into the cinema and enjoy the film in style!” concluded Zeccola.
ZECCOLA’S HOT PICKS
FALLEN LEAVES – A quirky Nordic romantic comedy set in Helsinki about two people who meet by chance and then try to meet again. Received rave reviews in Cannes where it screened in competition.
GODLAND – Follows a young Danish priest in the late 19th century who sets out on a mission across Iceland to build a church. Tackles Iceland’s colonial past in a time when it was controlled by Denmark. A masterful must-see highlight.
DARKLAND: THE RETURN – Dar Salim from Game of Thrones stars as a heart surgeon who sought revenge on his brother’s killers. After seven years in prison he agrees to go undercover in a violent gang. A classic Scandinavian crime thriller.
July 18 – August 9
Screening at Palace Cinemas
www.scandinavianfilmfestival.com
