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'
The Silence (1963)
8/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Ingrid Thulin, Gunnel Lindblom, Jorgen Lindstrom
Part of the Bergman trilogy dealing with the existence of God. Two women are stranded in a remote village where the language is incomprehensible. As o... 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
Hellfjord: Series 1 (2012)
7.2/10
Starring: Stig Frode Henriksen, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Zahid Ali, Thomas Hanzon, Maria Bock,...
A crazy mix of outlandish comedy and eccentric mystery, "Hellfjord" is the story of urban police officer Nesbit Salamander, a second generation Pakist... 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
Reprise (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Joachim Trier
Starring: Anders Danielsen Lie, Espen Klouman-Hoiner, Viktoria Winge
The freewheeling passion of youth and the unpredictable perils of fate are the subject of Joachim Trier's lean and kinetic journey through friendship,... 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
Sami Blood (2017)
7.4/10
Director: Amanda Kernell
Starring: Lene Cecilia Sparrok, Mia Erika Sparrok, Maj-Doris Rimpi
A reindeer-breeding Sámi girl who is exposed to the racism of the 1930's at her boarding school, starts dreaming of another life. But to achieve it, s... 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
Headhunters (Blu-ray) (2011)
7.6/10
Director: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Aksel Hennie, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Synnove Macody Lund, Eivind Sander
Headhunters stars the talented Aksel Hennie (Max Manus) as Roger, a charming scoundrel and Norway's most accomplished headhunter. Roger is living a li... Read more
Black's Game (2012)
6.8/10
Director: Oskar Thor Axelsson
Starring: Thor Kristjansson, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Damon Younger, Maria Birta
Stylish crime thriller from Iceland in which a student arrested during a drunken fight finds himself seeking legal advice from an old friend, and is d... Read more