Sweden’s Oscar entry Levan Akin’s “And Then We Danced” to topbill 21st annual Scandinavian Film Festival L.A.
By Oliver Carnay
Sweden’s Oscar entry “And Then We Danced”, from director Levan Akin, is a Swedish/Georgian co-production telling a passionate tale of love and liberation set in the dance world in the ultraconservative confines of modern Georgian society. The protagonist –a young dancer who has intensely trained with his partner Mary for a spot in the National Georgian Ensemble is thrown off-balance by the arrival of another male dancer who sparks both an intense rivalry and romantic desire.
Norway’s Oscar entry, “Out Stealing Horses”, is also one of the featured films you don’t want to miss at SFFLA. Set in the winter of 1999 as New Year’s Eve approaches, the story follows 67-year-old Trond, who discovers a neighbour who he knew back in 1948. This meeting causes him to look back at that time in his life, including his father’s disappearance. Stellan Skarsgård plays the lead role, with Tobias Santelmann and Bjørn Floberg also on the cast.
Iceland’s Oscar entry, “A White, White Day” .. In a remote Icelandic town, an off duty police chief begins to suspect a local man for having had an affair with his wife, who recently died in a car accident. Gradually his obsession for finding out the truth accumulates and inevitably begins to endanger himself and his loved ones. A story of grief, revenge and unconditional love.
Denmark’s Oscar submission “Queen of Hearts” is about Anne (Trine Dryholm), a successful lawyer and doting mother, who places both her family and career at risk when she becomes involved with her teenage stepson.
These are only some of the European feature films (in cooperation with the South East European Film Festival) that will be featured at the upcoming Scandinavian Film Festival-Los Angeles, yearly held at the Writers Guild Theatre. SFFLA yearly screens Oscar contenders for Best Foreign Language Films, and the best current films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Baltic neighbors– Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia!!
The event will be held on two weekends: January 4, 5, 11 & 12.
You can buy a SFFLA Festival Passport for admission to all screenings, single admissions, and for the Opening Gala. It’s dinner and a LOT of movies!!!!
Go to the festival web-site www.sffla.net for info on films or to order tickets. Online box office is open, or you may also wish to help by making a tax deductible donation to the cause.
