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'
Sauna (2008)
6.3/10
Director: Antti-Jussi Annila
Starring: Ville Virtanen, Tommi Eronen, Viktor Klimento, Sonja Petajajarvi
A transcendental shocker, set in 1595, just as Protestant Sweden and Orthodox Russia have reached an uneasy truce. In the wake of their fighting, Finl... Read more
Sawdust and Tinsel (1956)
7.7/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Ake Gronberg, Harriet Andersson
Ingmar Bergman presents the battle of the sexes as a ramshackle, grotesque carnival in one of his most vivid early works. A twisted relationship devel... Read more
Scenes From A Marriage (1973)
8.5/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Bibi Andersson
Liv Ullman stars in this exploration of the relationship between two people over a twenty year period. Winner of the National Society of Film Critics... Read more
Sebastian Bergman (2010)
Starring: Rolf Lassgard
In two new Nordic Noir thrillers, Rolf Laasgaard, one of Scandinavia's most popular actors (Wallander, False Trail), assumes a powerful new role as Po... Read more
Show Me Love (1998)
7.6/10
Director: Lukas Moodysson
Starring: Rebecca Liljeberg, Erica Carlon, Alexandra Dahlstrom
Aka 'Fucking Amal'. Elin and Agnes are two teenage girls growing up in a small Swedish town. Elin is bored with her life in a community where things a... Read more
Silent Heart ( Stille Hjerte ) (2014)
7.1/10
Director: Bille August
Starring: Ghita Norby, Morten Grunwald, Paprika Steen, Jens Albinus, Danica Curcic, Pilou...
From two-time Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner director Bille August (Pelle the Conquerer) comes this earnest and heartwarming drama starring Je... Read more
Simple Simon (2010)
7.1/10
Director: Andreas Ohman
Starring: Martin Wallstrom, Bill Skarsgard, Cecilia Forss, Sofie Hamilton
Eighteen-year-old Simon (Bill Skarsgard) is a boy with Asperger's syndrome who likes space, science and circles. His world is suddenly turned upside d... Read more
Skammen ( aka Shame ) (1968)
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Liv Ullmann, Max von Sydow, Gunnar Bjornstrand
Powerful, brilliantly acted drama examines how married concert violinists are morally challenged by a civil war that rages across their island. One of... Read more
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
7.9/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck, Margit Carl...
Ingmar Bergman's first international success is a delightful comedy of manners about four star-crossed couples spending a Nordic night at a turn-of-th... Read more
Someone You Love (2014)
6.4/10
Director: Pernille Fischer Christensen
Starring: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen
World famous singer-songwriter Thomas Jacob lives in Los Angeles. He is a successful man with a lot of burned bridges. After years abroad Thomas trave... Read more