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'
Trollhunter (2010)
7/10
Director: Andre Ovredal
Starring: Otto Jespersen
The government says there's nothing to worry about - it's just a problem with bears making trouble in the mountains and forests of Norway. But local h... Read more
A Somewhat Gentle Man (2010)
6.9/10
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Starring: Bjorn Sundquist, Stellan Skarsgard, Gard B Eidsvold, Bjorn Floberg
Reluctantly discharged from prison on parole after 12 years for murder, Ulrik is ordered by the kingpin of his old gang to settle some scores with a s... Read more
Beyond (2010)
7/10
Director: Pernilla August
Starring: Ville Virtanen, Noomi Rapace
A poignant story, told with sincerity and humour, about a young woman´s dramatic childhood and her grief and the struggle to move on. Noomi Rapace ("... Read more
In A Better World (2010)
7.7/10
Director: Susanne Bier
Starring: Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm
The winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, this acclaimed drama from Denmark concerns two families struggling to cope with their problems.... Read more
Above The Street Below The Water (Over gaden under vandet) (2009)
5.5/10
Starring: Sidse Babett Knudsen, Nicolas Bro, Charlotte Fich
3 ex/potentially ex couples in Copenhagen, interconnected by extramarital affairs or work at the theater, are having problems as are their kids. Read more
Valhalla Rising (2009)
6/10
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen
Mads Mikkelsen stars in this brutal Viking adventure as One-Eye, a mute warrior with supernatural strength who has been held prisoner for years 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
The Killing: Series 2 (2009)
5.7/10
Starring: Sofie Grabol
A.k.a. "Forbrydelsen". The body of a slain woman is found in a Copenhagen park commemorating the Danish Resistance in WWII - a symbolic act? An ex-sol... Read more
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest: Extended Version (2009)
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Noomi Rapace, Annika Hallin
With a seriously wounded Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) hospitalized and facing murder charges following the events of "The Girl Who Played with Fire," journa... Read more
The Girl Who Played with Fire: Extended Version (2009)
7.2/10
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Per Oscarsson, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin, Peter Andersson, Noom...
A researcher and a Millennium journalist about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and computer hacker Lisbeth Sa... Read more