Swedish attractions at Berlin Film Festival

Tomorrow, Thursday, on February 13, the 75^th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival gets under way. During the festival Areeb Zuaiter’s debut Yalla Parkour has its European premiere, Frida Gustavsson is awarded the Shooting star and Maria Eriksson-Hecht’s debut Kevlarsjäl is also nominated for The Eisvogel prize for sustainable film production. Three Swedish co-productions are part of the lineup with several recognizable actors, among others David Dencik and Adam Lundgren.

 

Yalla Parkour by Areeb Zuaiter (Panorama)

 

Areeb Zuaiter only remembers her mother being genuinely happy at the beach in Gaza. She found that same smile in some videos of a group of young men practicing parkour by the beaches of Gaza. She gets in contact with Ahmed Matar who makes the videos and through them she is able to experience his everyday life in between explosions, refugee camps and ruins. Ahmed Matar was praised by critics for his performance in the play Exit Parkour, a show staged at Royal Dramatic Theatre that tells his life story.

 

Zuaiters feature film debut Yalla Parkour catches a glimpse of Gaza prior to the events of October 7, 2024, in a film exploring identity, belonging and recreating memories of a home left behind. The film has its European premiere in the festival’s Panorama section. The world premiere was held this past fall during the American documentary festival DOC NYC where the film was awarded the Grand Jury Award.

 

Yalla Parkour is written and directed by Areeb Zuaiter and produced by Basel Mawlawi / Kinana films, in co-production with Film i Skåne, with support from the Swedish Film institute.

 

Frida Gustavsson – Shooting star

 

Frida Gustavsson – currently starring as the lead in Tomas Alfredsson’s tv-series Faithless (Trolösa) – has been chosen by the European Film Production’s (EFP) international jury as one of the most promising and interesting actors in Europe. Every year the jury picks 10 talents from 37 European countries to acknowledge during the festival in front of international press, audience and film industry. The ceremony takes place at a gala on February 17. Short interview with Frida Gustavsson

 

Kevlarsjäl by Maria Eriksson-Hecht (The Eisvogel)

 

Maria Eriksson-Hecht’s feature film debut Kevlarsjäl is one of the five nominated films for The Eisvogel – Prize for Sustainable Film Production. The award is given out with the aim of acknowledging films that utilize sustainable production practices in both planning and execution. The award ceremony takes place at the festival on February 12.

 

Henrik Lörstad (HARPA)

 

Nordic Film Music Days takes place during the festival and on February 15 the HARPA Nordic Film Composer Award is given out, where composer Henrik Lörstad is one of the five nominees for the music in Who are you, Mamma Moo?.

 

 

Swedish co-productions

 

Beginnings by Jeanette Nordahl (Panorama)

 

David Dencik is playing against Trine Dyrholm in director and writer Jeanette Nordahl’s latest feature film drama Beginnings (Danish title Begyndelser). The film follows Ane and Thomas who are in the middle of an ongoing divorce when they are faced with a crisis that makes them reevaluate their relationship and life together. Swedish co-producer: Nima Youssefi / Hob AB, with support from the Swedish Film Institute / Ami Ekström.

 

The Ugly Stepsister by Emilie Blichfeldt (Panorama)

 

Director and writer Emilie Blichfeldt feature film debuts with The Ugly Stepsister (Norwegian title Den stygge stesøsterenen) – a bloody and satirical re-imagining of Cinderella, where the brothers Grimm’s classic tale meets Norwegian body-horror. In the film’s ensemble several well-known Swedish names are seen, including Isac Calmroth, Malte Gårdinger, Cecillia Forss, Ralph Carlsson and Adam Lundgren. Swedish co-producer: Lizette Jonjic / Zentropa International Sweden and Film i Väst, with support from the Swedish Film Institute / Ami Ekström

 

The Thing with Feathers by Dylan Southern (Berlinale Special Gala)

 

Dylan Southern directs Benedict Cumberbatch in The Thing with Feathers. A film about a young dad processing the sudden passing of his wife, when he and his sons begin to be stalked by what appears to be a malevolent presence. Swedish co-producer: Sean Wheelan / Filmgate Films and Film i Väst.

 

The 75th edition of the Berlin Filmfestival takes place between February 13–23. Read more

 

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