A weekend of Swedish cinema

WHEN you think about Sweden, what comes to mind first? If it's ready-to-assemble furniture, meatballs, or just a place where they have really high tax rates, it might be time to widen your cultural horizons.

The Embassy of Sweden (Singapore) in collaboration with indie cinema The Projector is presenting the very first Swedish Film Festival in Singapore. Held from Jan 28 to 31, the carefully curated range of movies offers a little something for everyone.

Commercial officer at the Embassy of Sweden Hema Selva says: "With the 50th celebration of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Singapore, it's about time the local audience gets to enjoy the Swedish film phenomenon!"

In recent years, the commercial success of Swedish thriller trilogy The Millenium Series which started with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is irrefutable. Following the literary acclaim of the books came the on-screen versions, which were exported to over 50 countries. Along with directors like Tomas Alfredson (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and actress Alicia Vikander (Anna Karenina), it isn't an exaggeration to say that Swedish cinema has caught the attention of the world.

But the best-known Swedish gift to the cinematic world was filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. One of the films screened over the weekend is Trespassing Bergman, a documentary which features a closer look into the auteur's life. Filmed at Bergman's home, it features a large number of fellow directors analysing his work. The well-known interviewees include Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Zhang Yimou.

Selva notes: "Not only has Bergman inspired a new generation of Swedish filmmakers, he also helped create a lasting buzz and interest around Swedish film in general."

After watching 10 to 12 films, Viknesh Kobinathan, programmer at The Projector, managed to whittle down the selection to just eight. He says: "What I tried to do with the programme is give it some variety. I know people like to (binge watch at) film festivals like they do television shows, and I wanted to make sure there'd be enough of a range to keep their interest."

One film he specifically requested the Embassy to help him secure was Force Majeure. The 27-year-old explains: "It's been gaining a lot of traction internationally, and has been a huge festival hit. We wanted people over here to get to see it too." The film, which was allotted two screenings, is already sold out.

Another fast-selling movie is Call Girl, directed by Mikael Marcimain. The first screening of the political thriller based on the real-life Bordellhärvan scandal in the 1970s is full, but some seats remain for the second. Describing the movie, Kobinathan says: "It's constructed like a Hollywood thriller in the way that it's paced, but with an European aesthetic. It's the blockbuster of the bunch."

And if these all seem like too much commitment, there are also two volumes of Swedish short films on the programme. Ranging from three to 16 minutes in length, they offer a look at what the Scandinavian country has to offer, without too much investment.

And they are worth checking out, according to Mr Kobinathan: "There's something quite special about the acting in Swedish films. From the big-budget films to the ones featuring amateur actors, there's a certain acting standard which I found quite astounding. If nothing else, that is bound to keep you engaged."

The Swedish Film Festival is on at The Projector from Jan 28 to 31.

For more information, and to buy tickets, please visit www.theprojector.sg