Fanny and Alexander: a film of many personas revisiting familiar Bergman themes
Ingmar Bergman, “Fanny and Alexander” (1982) In part an autobiographical film based on his own childhood experiences of growing up with a severe Lutheran pastor father,…
Northern European Films
Reviews of films from Finland, Greenland, Iceland and countries traditionally considered part of Scandinavia (Denmark Norway, Sweden). I’ve included Estonia and Latvia in this category as these countries have historic links to Sweden.
Northern European Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Aliens (dir. A Gaponenko): the plight of Russians forced into twilight-zone lives as non-citizens in Latvia
Alexander Gaponenko, “Aliens” (2014) In August 1991, the Soviet Union broke up after a failed coup d’état and 15 new countries arose from its remains. Latvia…
North American Films, Northern European Films
Manderlay: a not entirely satisfactory study of slavery in American society
Lars von Trier, “Manderlay” (2005) The sequel to “Dogville” is an interesting philosophical if rather slower and less action-packed inquiry on the nature of freedom and democracy…
Memoria: a tight closed narrative loop with no chance of forgiveness or redemption
Elísabet Ýr Atladóttir, “Memoria” (2013) A creepy psychological character study, “Memoria” is very depressing to watch. The single protagonist, Vincent, is a young alcoholic and drug…
The Backwater Gospel: a darkly grim Gothic satire on religious fanaticism, mob rule and the fear of death
Bo Mathorne, “The Backwater Gospel” (2011) In a total running time of just over nine minutes, this raw and stark animation is a superb comment on…
North American Films, Northern European Films
Dancer in the Dark: a manipulative film with a conservative and disheartening message
Lars von Trier, “Dancer in the Dark” (2000) Lars von Trier’s one attempt at making a tractor musical is the third and final installment in a…
Northern European Films, Southeast Asian Films
The Act of Killing: chilling documentary on mass murderers and the society that supports and celebrates their deeds
Joshua Oppenheimer, “The Act of Killing” (2012) A chilling film, made all the more so by moments of black humour, kitsch and banality, “The Act of…
The Seventh Seal: examining a man’s crisis of faith and his quest for meaning to his existence
Ingmar Bergman, “The Seventh Seal / Det Sjunde Inseglet” (1957) Set in Sweden during the Black Death (1347 – 1350), this famous film examines a man’s…
Persona: visually stunning minimalist meditation on identity, duality and the art of film-making
Ingmar Bergman, “Persona” (1966) A visually stunning film, shot in black and white film and using contrasts of lighting and landscape to illustrate its themes of…
Wild Strawberries: a road trip into self-discovery and examination that leads to redemption and self-forgiveness
Ingmar Bergman, “Smultronstället / Wild Strawberries” (1957) Few movies feature 80 or 70-something actors as lead characters so to see Bergman’s “Wild Strawberries” with Viktor Sjöström in…