Seven Swedish documentaries at CPH:DOX

Seven Swedish films and one minority production have been selected for CPH:DOX, one of the world’s leading documentary film festivals, which starts on April 21. Three of the films – Children of the Enemy by Gorki Glaser-Müller, Passion by Maja Borg and Gabi, Between Ages 8 and 13 by Engeli Broberg – will compete for the festival’s main prize, Dox:Award.

Dox:Award

Children of the Enemy by Gorki Glaser-Müller (world premiere)

This is the story of Patricio Galvez, whose daughter married one of Europe’s most notorious ISIS terrorists, Michael Skråmo. They left for Syria in 2014 and, as the Caliphate crumbles five years later, both get killed. Their seven small children survive and are placed in the monstrous refugee camp Al-Hol. When the Swedish authorities neglect to act on behalf on the children, Patricio is forced to take it upon himself to try to get them out.

Produced by Erika Malmgren and Kristofer Henell, Cinenic Film, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, former Documentary Film Commissioner Klara Grunning. Sales handled by Cinephil.

Gabi, Between Ages 8 and 13 by Engeli Broberg (world premiere)

Gabi just wants to be Gabi, a wish that is not as easy as it seems. We follow Gabi between the ages of 8 and 13, and the struggle to find a place in a society dictated by the rules of adults and gender norms.

Produced by Anna J Ljungmark and Jakob Eklund, House of Real. Sales TBC.

Passion by Maja Borg (world premiere)

A film about longing, healing, and belonging. Adopting rituals and play from queer BDSM practice and their own Christian heritage, filmmaker Maja Borg seeks to reclaim intimacy and re-establish boundaries in the wake of a destructive relationship. Through stories of queer BDSM communities, Borg portrays the humanity at the heart of the practise, illuminating its similarities with Christianity.

Produced by Stina Gardell, Mantaray Film, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, former Documentary Film Commissioner Klara Grunning. Sales TBC.

F:act Award

Sabaya by Hogir Hirori (European premiere)

Sabaya recently won the prize for Best Director in the World Cinema Documentary category at Sundance Film Festival where it had its world premiere. The film tells the story of a group of volunteers in Syria rescuing Yazidi women held by ISIS as sex slaves.

Produced by Antonio Russo Merenda, Ginestra Film and Hogir Hirori, Lolav Media, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, Documentary Film Commissioner Juan Pablo Libossart. Sales handled by Dogwoof.

Nordic:Dox Award

Julia & I by Nina Hobert (world premiere)

Julia & I is a personal story about a friendship. In Nina’s gaze on her friend Julia, Nina suddenly sees what she is missing in herself. When Julia seeks her way out of addiction Nina starts to seek answers on why she does not want to exist anymore. Nothing is as it seems. The film that was supposed to be Nina’s film becomes its own instead. 

Produced by Nina Hobert, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, former Documentary Film Commissioner Klara Grunning. Sales TBC.

Raising a School Shooter by Frida Barkfors and Lasse Barkfors (world premiere)

When yet another school shooting takes place, some parents are confronted with a brutal fact: it was their child that committed the shooting. In Raising a School Shooter, we meet parents with totally different backgrounds and experiences with this catastrophic thing in common.     

A Danish/Swedish/French/Belgian co-production with Anne Köhncke, Final Cut for Real as main producer, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, former Documentary Film Commissioner Klara Grunning. Sales handled by DR Sales.

Special Premieres

Prince of Dreams by Jessica Nettelbladt (world premiere)

Erik was born as a girl but always felt like a boy. As an 18-year-old, he began the process of gender reassignment. This is where Prince of Dreams starts too. Shot over a full 10 years and with no filter. Isolation, bullying and anxiety have followed Erik throughout his life, while he has struggled with recognition from his surroundings and himself. Now he is 27 years old and decides to go on a pilgrimage to the end of the world, the Camino de Finisterrae, to finally find peace with himself. With his beloved girlfriend Martyna as a guardian angel, the journey forces Erik to confront the demons of the past. 

Produced by Jessica Nettelbladt, Vibeke Vogel and Pär Anders Bevmo, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, former Documentary Film Commissioner Klara Grunning. Sales TBC.

Highlights

The Most Beautiful Boy in the World by Kristina Lindström and Kristian Petri (European premiere)

In 1971, due to the world premiere of Death in Venice, Italian director Luchino Visconti proclaimed his Tadzio as "the world’s most beautiful boy". A shadow that today, 50 years later, weighs Björn Andrésen’s life. A film about a dark family history and the price of beauty. A drama that takes us to Japan, Italy, France and Denmark.

Produced by Stina Gardell, Mantaray Film, with support from the Swedish Film Institute, Documentary Film Commissioner Juan Pablo Libossart. Sales handled by Films Boutique.

CPH:DOX, this year in a hybrid edition, will take place 21 April – 2 May. Se the full program here.

Swedish films have had a strong presence at the festival throughout the years. Recent Swedish Dox:Award winners include The Ridge (2019) by John Skoog and The Raft (2018) by Marcus Lindeen.

For more info, please contact:
Sara Rüster, Festival Manager at the Swedish Film Institute’s International Department: sara.ruster@sfi.se, 08-665 11 41

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