Stockholm Film Festival
‘Gentlemen’, Henry Morgan (David Dencik)
Stillbildsfoto: Nadja Hallström © 2014 B-Reel
Stockholm Film Festival means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but one of the main things they have achieved during their 25 years of existence is to open the eyes of Stockholm filmgoers to a realm beyond the big Hollywood blockbuster productions. The festival has always tried to identify the directors of tomorrow and screen the classics of the future today, but they have also drummed up interest in a long line of excellent films that would otherwise never have had the chance to break through to a cinema audience, and for that Stockholm should be eternally grateful.
Another thing, pointed out to me by film festival general Git Scheynius around the time of last years’ festival – the film fest is like a round-the-world-trip taking you to numerous far-flung places.
“What is so exciting with film that makes it appealing to so many is that if you go to a festival that have work from 50-60 countries, it’s like travelling around the globe. I think the people coming to our festival are curious about the world they live in,” she said before pointing out that normally, there are possibly only ten percent of the films in the cinemas that aren’t Anglo-Saxon.
Apart from that, the setting is ideal. The Stockholm Film Festival might now be firmly established as one of the leading festivals in Europe, but what’s more appealing for culturally-inclined Stockholmers than its status is the perfect timing. It takes place in the darkest month of the year, while those last few beams of sunlight left over from the Swedish summer are barely visible. It’s still too early for the snow to come in and save us from depression, so what better way to keep sane than to cuddle up in a warm cinema and let yourself go on a voyage through other people’s trials and tribulations while you drown yourself in popcorn or sip a hot cocoa. Preferably during daytime. But during the Stockholm Film Festival it really doesn’t matter. When you get outside after the movie ends, it’s pitch black regardless.
On the Menu
Lauren Bacall
Dedication 2014
Foto: Leif Erik Nygårds
The 25th anniversary edition of Stockholm Film Festival is dedicated to Lauren Bacall. Sadly, she passed away earlier this year and will obviously not be attending again, but many others will. Mikael Marcimain, who was a success at the festival two years ago with Call Girl, will open the festivities with his new film *Gentlemen* and will be joined by Klas Östergren, the author who had his breakthrough in 1980 with the book the film is based upon.
Mike Leigh will be on hand to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at one of the screenings of his latest film *Mr. Turner* and Roy Andersson will pick up the Stockholm Visionary Award which some might say he should do every year.
In total there will be 200 films and more than double that amount of screenings over a cramped 12 days.
Among other notable titles are wunderkind Xavier Dolans’ *Mommy* that won the jury prize in Cannes earlier this year, Guantanamo Bay drama *Camp X-Ray* starring Kristen Stewart and the debut feature film by Swedish director Jens Östberg – the drama *Flugparken*. Pick up a copy of Stockholm Film Festival’s amazing catalogue or visit them online to go through all the rest of the extensive and exciting schedule.
Do yourself a favour with some cinematic treats at the Stockholm Film Festival, November -16.
