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'
My Life As A Dog (1985)
7.6/10
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Anton Glanzelius, Tomas Von Bromssen, Anki Liden
A completely enchanting and bittersweet film in which a young boy is shipped off to spend the summer with his uncle after his mother falls ill. A touc... Read more
Noi the Albino (2003)
7.4/10
Director: Dagur Kari
Starring: Tomas Lemarquis, Throstur Leo Gunnarsson
Aka "Noi Albinoi", "Noi". Is he the village idiot or a genius in disguise? Seventeen-year-old Noi drifts through life on a remote fjord in the north o... Read more
O'Horten (2007)
6.8/10
Director: Bent Hamer
Starring: Ghita Norby, Baard Owe, Espen Skjonberg, Bjorn Floberg
Now in his late sixties and approaching retirement, Norwegian train engineer Odd Horten (Baard Owe) embarks on a - dare one say it - odd journey of se... Read more
Occupied: Series 1 (2015)
7.7/10
Starring: Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Henrik Mestad, Eldar Skar, Ane Dahl Torp, Ragnhild Gudbran...
Following up on their environmental promises, the Norwegian government halts all oil production sending the country and the rest of the world into cri... Read more
Open Hearts (2002)
7.6/10
Director: Susanne Bier
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sonja Richter, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Paprika Steen
A young engaged couple in Copenhagen, Cecille (Sonja Richter) and Joachim (Nikolaj Lie Kaas), finds their relationship changed forever when Joachim is... Read more
Ordet (1954)
8.2/10
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Starring: Henrik Malberg, Emil Hass Christensen
A tale of miraculous resurrection brought about by human love, Carl Dreyer's Ordet is an extraordinary expression of spiritual optimism without being... Read more
Overcoming (2005)
7.1/10
Director: Tomas Gislason
Starring: Bjarne Riis, Ivan Basso, Carlos Sastre, Michelle Bartoli
Focusing on the Danish team at the 2004 Tour de France, this documentary follows cycle guru Bjarne Riis as he tries to push his bikers to the limit in... Read more
Pelle The Conqueror (1988)
7.9/10
Director: Bille August
Starring: Erik Paaske, Max von Sydow, Pelle Hvenegaard
Winner of the Cannes Festival Palme d'Or and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Picture, Bille August's moving film features a remarkable performance... Read more
Persona (1966)
8.1/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Liv Ullmann, Bibi Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Jorgen Lindstrom
'Persona' is recognised as Bergman's most extraordinary and influential film, it is a rich and poetic study of womanhood and identity. Elizabeth (Liv... Read more
Prague (2006)
6.8/10
Director: Ole Christian Madsen
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Stengade, Borivoj Navratil, Jana Plodkova
Christoffer (Mads Mikkelson) and Maja (Stine Stengade) are facing the end of their 15-year relationship. En route to pick up his father's mortal remai... Read more