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'
Edvard Munch (1976)
8.4/10
Director: Peter Watkins
Starring: Geir Westby, Gro Fraas, Eli Ryg
This biographical dramatisation of Norway's most famous artist reveals the tumultuous events of his life as recorded in Munch's own memoirs. With stuf... Read more
Elvira Madigan (1967)
7.5/10
Director: Bo Widerberg
Starring: Pia Degermark, Thommy Berggren
Is a simple and tragic story of a young Swedish officer who falls in love with a beautiful circus performer. Outstanding photography makes this film.... Read more
Epidemic (1987)
6.1/10
Director: Lars von Trier
Starring: Udo Kier, Lars Von Trier, Niels Vorsel
Controversial director Lars von Trier also co-wrote and stars in this bizarre story of a director and a writer (Udo Kier) who create a script about a... Read more
Escape (2012)
6.1/10
Director: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Isabel Christine Andreasen, Hallvard Holmen
In 14th-century Norway, with the terrors of the Black Plague 10 years in the past, tragedy finally catches up to 19-year-old Signe (Isabel Christine A... Read more
Essential Bergman: The Faith Trilogy - Through A Glass Darkly / Winter Light / The Silence (1963)
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Gunnel Lindblom, Ingrid Thulin, Max von S...
This 3 disc box set contains three of Bergman's signature dramas, exploring themes of alienation and faith. In 'Through a Glass Darkly', he confronts... Read more
Europa ( aka Zentropa ) (1992)
7.7/10
Director: Lars von Trier
Starring: Jean-Marc Barr, Barbara Sukowa, Udo Kier, Ernst Hugo
This penetrating and mesmeric trip into the dark soul of Europe follows a young American pacifist of German descent who sojourns to post-WWII Deutschl... Read more
Eva (1948)
6.6/10
Starring: Birger Malmsten, Eva Dahlbeck
During WW2 in neutral Sweden, young sailor Bo, son of a railway stationmaster, comes home from the Navy and reminisces a childhood accident. At age tw... Read more
Everlasting Moments (2008)
7.5/10
Director: Jan Troell
Starring: Mikael Persbrandt, Jesper Christensen, Maria Heiskanen
Based on a true story, this beautifully filmed Swedish drama from two-time Academy Award nominee director Jan Troell chronicles the life of Maria Lars... Read more
Evil ( aka Ondskan ) (2003)
7.8/10
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Starring: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundstrom, Gustaf Skarsgard, Linda Zilliacus
In the mid-'50s, teenager Erik Ponti (Andreas Wilson) suffers serious abuse at the hands of his father. When he carries this violence into his school... Read more
Exit (2006)
5.8/10
Director: Peter Lindmark
Starring: Borje Ahlstedt, Samuel Froler, Mads Mikkelsen, Johan Rabaeus, Alexander Skarsgar...
Thomas (Mads Mikkelsen) lives a wonderful life - he has a lovely family, a house by the water and a lucrative deal for the sale of his company. As the... Read more