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'
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
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
Borgen: Season 1 (2010)
8.5/10
Starring: Soren Malling, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Johan Philip Asbae...
In a world of political and personal intrigue, the Bafta award-winning series (Best International Drama Series) "Borgen" follows the intricate and com... Read more
Borgen: Season 2 (2011)
7.1/10
Starring: Soren Malling, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Emil Poulsen, Frej...
Birgitte Nyborg has been Denmark's Prime Minister for two years - years that have taken their toll on her private life. She must now balance her role... Read more
Borgen: Season 3 (2012)
8.5/10
Starring: Soren Malling, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, Emil Poulsen, Frej...
Over two years have passed and Birgitte Nyborg is no longer the Prime Minister of Denmark. Disillusioned with the way her old party is heading, she de... Read more
Brink of Life (1958)
7.7/10
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Starring: Bibi Andersson, Erland Josephson, Ingrid Thulin, Max von Sydow, Eva Dahlbeck
Three seemingly different women meet in a Stockholm maternity ward in this award-winning drama from Ingmar Bergman ("Persona"), which compares and con... Read more
Brothers (2004)
7.6/10
Director: Susanne Bier
Starring: Connie Nielsen, Ulrich Thomsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Michael's life is on track, he has a successful military career, a beautiful wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen) and two loving daughters, but he's about to... Read more
Cold Fever (1994)
7.1/10
Director: Fridrik Thor Fridriksson
Starring: Masatoshi Nagase, Lili Taylor, Fisher Stevens
This Jarmusch-like comic road movie charts the adventures of Atshushi (Masatoshi Nagase), a Japanese businessman who decides to go to Iceland and trek... Read more
Cool and Crazy (2001)
7/10
Director: Knut Erik Jensen
Much as "Buena Vista Social Club" revealed a rich and unexplored world of music and culture, "Cool & Crazy" introduces us to a group of men who find p... Read more
Country Wedding (2008)
6.5/10
Director: Valdis Oskarsdottir
Starring: Agusta Eva Erlendsdottir, Nanna Kristin Magnusdottir, Arni Petur Gudjonsson, Bjo...
An idyllic wedding in the stunning Icelandic countryside goes comically wrong in this gem from first-time writer/director Valdis Oskarsdottir, well-kn... Read more