Scandinavian Cinema
'Scandinavian' is an Alice grouping which includes Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. To find films from one of these countries specifically use the 'By Country' link on the left hand menu.
From the sublime to the ridiculous; from Bergman to Lars von Trier, there is something in this section for everyone.
Films from this region are often deeply personal and have a brutal honesty about them. Characters are often deeply flawed or troubled but not judged. The Dogme 95 collective (founded by Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg) exemplifies this attitude in their manifesto. Not just the stories but the film-making process itself is absolutely 'no frills'. (Visit www.dogme95.dk for more details.)
Other notables in this section include the quirky Finlander, Aki Kaurismaki, Fridrik Thor Fridrikkson from Iceland and Norwegian, Erik Skjoldjaerg.
Pictured: "It's one of the most delicious parts I've ever played. I've never been such a bastard before." Stellan Skaarsgard on his role in the rivetting 'Zero Kelvin'
Kitchen Stories (2003)
7.3/10
Director: Bent Hamer
Starring: Joachim Calmeyer, Tomas Norstrom, Reine Brynolfsson, Bjorn Floberg
A Swedish researcher strikes up an unlikely friendship with a cranky Norwegian farmer in this splendidly low-key comedy of manners. It's the 1950s, an... Read more
Klown (2010)
7.2/10
Director: Mikkel Norgaard
Starring: Iben Hjejle, Frank Hvam, Casper Christensen, Marcuz Jess Petersen, Mia Lyhne, La...
"Klown" follows two wildly inappropriate friends - played by celebrated international comedians Frank Hvam and Caspar Christensen - as they run amok t... Read more
Kon-Tiki (2012)
7.2/10
Director: Espen Sandberg, Joachim Roenning
Starring: Gustaf Skarsgard, Agnes Kittelsen, Pal Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen,...
Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific ocean in a balsa wood raft in 1947, together with five men, to prove that South Americans alread... Read more
Lamb (2021)
6.4/10
Starring: Noomi Rapace
A childless couple, María and Ingvar discover a mysterious newborn on their farm in Iceland. The unexpected prospect of family life brings them much j... Read more
Land of Mine (2015)
7.8/10
Director: Martin Zandvliet
Starring: Joel Basman, Roland Moller, Louis Hofmann
After the Nazi surrender in May 1945, a unit of young Germans most barely out of their teens are put to work by their Allied captors. With minimal... Read more
Leningrad Cowboys Collection ( Leningrad Cowboys Go America / Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses / Total Balalaika Show ) (1989)
Director: Aki Kaurismaki
Starring: Andre Wilms, Jim Jarmusch, Kari Vaananen, Matti Pellonpaa, Nicky Tesco
The legendary Leningrad Cowboys, one of Finland's oddest but most successful exports, are a comic rock band of outlandish appearance with their dark s... Read more
Leningrad Cowboys: Total Balalaika Show (1993)
7/10
Director: Aki Kaurismaki
Finland's Leningrad Cowboys meet the ex-Red Army Choir in this inspired documentary. The Cowboys (a comedy group) claim to be the world's worst rock a... Read more
Let the Right One In (2008)
7.9/10
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Starring: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl, Karin Bergquist, Pete...
12-year-old Oskar is a bit of a social misfit and the target for all the local bullies when someone new moves in next door. He is soon besotted by the... Read more
Letters to Father Jacob (2009)
7.4/10
Director: Klaus Haro
Starring: Heikki Nousiainen, Kaarina Hazard
Newly pardoned from a life prison sentence, bitter and sullen Leila is assigned to work in a secluded parsonage reading and composing letters for Fath... Read more
Lilya 4-Ever (2002)
7.9/10
Director: Lukas Moodysson
Starring: Oksana Akinshina, Artiom Bogucharskij, Elina Benenson
Lukas Moodysson's third feature, following 'Show Me Love' and 'Together', is a touching and tender insight into the life of Lilya, a chirpy girl of si... Read more