Strong Swedish Presence in Toronto

Amanda Kernell's Brace Your Heart and Lars Vega's debut feature Arne Goes To Space will have their world premieres at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Platform and Discovery programmes, respectively. The Swedish lineup also includes the North American premieres of the stop-motion animated shorts The End by Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Please by Anna Mantzaris, alongside four Swedish co-productions.

Brace Your Heart by Amanda Kernell (World Premiere in Platform)

In a remote Sámi village high in the mountains, 20-year-old Ejva inherits her late father's reindeer herd. As she struggles to keep the herd thriving, local leader Heaika develops romantic feelings for her, and though hesitant, she feels compelled to accept. But everything changes when Nejla, Heaika’s cousin, arrives, and Ejva discovers true love for the first time. Betrayed and jealous, Heaika reacts harshly, leaving Ejva with a condition that makes her hands shake uncontrollably, threatening her ability to care for the herd. Now, Ejva must find a way to reclaim control over her life and her future.

Following the world premiere in Toronto, the film will screen in the main competition at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

Brace Your Heart, with the Sámi original title Garrat du Váimmu and the Swedish title Gör hjärtat hårt, is written and directed by Amanda Kernell and produced by Eva Åkergren for Nordisk Film Production. Co-producers include, among others, SVT, Filmpool Nord, Film i Väst and the Sámi production company Forest People, with support from, among others, the International Sámi Film Institute and the Swedish Film Institute's former film commissioner Anders Nylander.

The score is composed by Rebekka Karijord, who is also represented at the festival as the composer of Jennifer Peedom’s Tenzing.

Nordisk Film is the film's Swedish distributor, while international sales are handled by TrustNordisk.

Arne Goes To Space by Lars Vega (World Premiere in Discovery)

Originally set for Papua New Guinea to learn more about earth, an alien crash-lands in a Swedish forest and ends up with the two aging brothers Arne and Stefan in Norrbotten. The brothers lead a quiet small-town life, concerned with hunting team disputes and Arne’s growing illness. Stefan doesn’t want a free-loading space man in his home, while Arne welcomes and names the alien Roland. The brothers begin to teach him about the important things in life: moonshine, hunting and the concept of love, but as Arne’s illness starts to flare up, Stefan is forced to face the inevitable, a life without his brother.

Arne Goes To Space is directed by Lars Vega, who also wrote the screenplay together with Theodor Österberg. The film is produced by Anette Brantin for Nexiko Drama, in co-production with Filmpool Nord, SVT and NonStop Winning Formula. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s former film commissioner Hanna Sohlberg.

NonStop Entertainment is the film's Swedish distributor, while international sales are handled by TrustNordisk.

The End by Niki Lindroth von Bahr (North American Premiere in Short Cuts)

A dark, poetic tale of death and existence set in a large, international airport. An airplane has serious problems but cannot reach the control tower, the pig employees are engrossed in a reality series. A pushy slug seller in the Tax Free shop tries to sell deeply immoral products. A dolphin barista at an exorbitantly expensive Smoothie bar loses his mind. A mysterious figure moves in the periphery, soon ready to get us all.

The End is directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jen Silverman and Martin Luuk. The film had its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival and features the voices of Alexander Skarsgård, Noomi Rapace, Anna Mouglalis and Denis Lavant. It is produced by Kalle Wettre for Malade in co-production with, among others, Film i Väst and SVT. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s former film commissioner Ami Ekström.

International sales are handled by New Europe Film Sales.

Please by Anna Mantzaris (North American Premiere in Short Cuts)

A dark comedy about humankind’s desire to love and to be loved. An animated short centered around neediness, intimacy and romance. Told through a series of loosely connected, tender and absurd scenes, the film follows people who are searching for closeness and acceptance. In a world that preaches self-control, the film explores the sides we try to hide, such as feeling needy and pathetic. The stories overlap and reappear, gradually forming a portrait of collective longing.

Earlier this year, Please had its world premiere at Animafest Zagreb, where it won the Audience Award for Best Short Film. Written and directed by Anna Mantzaris, the film features Stellan Skarsgård among its voice cast. It is produced by Johan Edström for Apparat Filmproduktion, in co-production with, among others, Film i Väst and SVT. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute's former film commissioner Ami Ekström.

International sales are handled by Miyu Distribution.

SWEDISH CO-PRODUCTIONS

Rescue by Sine Plambech (World Premiere in TIFF Docs)

Rescue is a Danish-Italian-Swedish-Icelandic co-production. The film is directed by Sine Plambech, who also wrote the screenplay with Janus Metz. The Swedish co-producer is Elin Kamlert for Kamlert Film. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Anna Weitz.

Woman Unknown by May el-Toukhy (North American Premiere in Centrepiece)

Woman Unknown is a Danish-Swedish-Latvian co-production. The film is directed by May el-Toukhy, who also wrote the screenplay together with Maren Louise Kähne. Swedish co-producers include Nordisk Filmproduction Sweden and Film i Väst. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Hanna Lejonqvist Sobieski.

Fjord by Cristian Mungiu (Canadian Premiere in Special Presentations)

Fjord is a Romanian-French-Norwegian-Swedish-Danish-Finnish co-production. Written and directed by Cristian Mungiu, the film won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Swedish co-producers include Sean Wheelan for Filmgate Films, Mimmi Spång for Garagefilm International and Film i Väst. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Hanna Lejonqvist Sobieski.

Tehran, Under the Skin by Afsaneh Salari (World Premiere in TIFF Docs)

Tehran, Under the Skin is a French-Iranian-Swedish co-production, directed by Afsaneh Salari. The Swedish co-producer is Sisyfos Film.

The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival takes place from September 10–20. Explore the full programme.