Do we feel sad that summer is almost coming to an end? Not really, as we love autumn, and it means there are going to be even more Nordic shows and films released. September is looking to be a pretty bumper month, but until then, let’s see what we got to enjoy in August…
TV SERIES
Agatha Christie’s Hjerson | Walter Presents / ALL4
The last weekend of the month saw the arrival of Agatha Christie’s Hjerson on Walter Presents, which has proved to be exceptionally good fun thanks to a magnificent turn from its two leads – Johan Rheborg (last seen on Walter Presents in the excellent Partisan) and Hanna Alström (Sami Blood). Their chemistry really makes this series.
A whodunit on a ferry, with a frustrating sidekick, a quirky detective, an excellent theme tune and credit sequence – we truly have it all here, so settle in for a fun ride.
FILM
Loving Adults | Netflix
We really enjoyed the twists and turns in Netflix’s first Danish feature film Loving Adults. The thriller stars two big names – Dar Salim (Borgen) and Sonja Richter (Open Hearts) – as a couple who’s relationship falls apart when the wife realises her husband is having an affair.
Go into this film blind if you can – no trailers, no reading up on it – this one isn’t going for Academy awards but is a great fun watch. Enjoy our spoiler-free interview with the two stars HERE.
Nest | MUBI
Hlynur Pálmason is an exciting director, whose new film Godland should be released either later this year or early in 2023. His previous works include The Winter Brothers and A White White Day (a personal favourite at Nordic Watchlist HQ). As we wait for the release of his new feature film, you can enjoy his short film Nest which is showing exclusively on MUBI.
Fans of his previous work will enjoy this beautiful piece of cinema that follows a trio of kids and their treehouse – taken all in one frame.
We are still offering someone a 30 Day Free Trial with MUBI – just follow the link below to get access to the film’s website which includes a fantastic collection of Nordic Movies: https://mubi.com/promos/nordicwatchlist
HIDDEN GEMS
In a new feature as part of our Nordic Picks of the Month, we are sharing some hidden gems that we have found on streaming websites. Many Nordic films get buried away and you have do some serious digging around – but we did it for you and we discovered some gold.
This month we watched the excellent (and seriously creepy) Bad Faith over on Netflix; and then got totally engrossed in Tobias Lindstrom’s R: Hit First Hit Hardest on Amazon Prime. Lindstrom also directed A Hijacking and A War. This film stars a very young Pilaou Asbaek, who went on to star in a number of Lindstrom’s films.
Both are pretty dark, violent, and not for the faint hearted so a bit of warning before you dive in!
NEW NORDIC NEWS
Nordic Council Film Prize 2022 Nominees
The Nordic Council Film Prize celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and the selected nominations are very strong contenders:
- CLARA SOLA (Sweden) directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
- GODLAND (Denmark)– directed by Hlynur Pálmason
- THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD (Norway) directed by Joachim Trier
- LAMB (Iceland) directed by Valdimar Jóhannson
- THE BLIND MAN WHO DID NOT WANT TO SEE TITANIC (Finland) directed by Teemu Nikki
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 1st November. Which film would you like to see win?
50th Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund Winners
- Andreus Award – THE EMIGRANTS (which is now available in the UK on DOD)
- The Critic’s Award – CLOSE (Director: Lukas Dhont / Producers: Michiel Dhont and Dirk Impens)
- The Audience Award – WAR SAILOR (Director: Gunnar Vikene / Producer: Maria Ekerhovd)
- Best Project Award – THE LOVE PILL (Director: Naures Sager / Producer: Michael Detlef)
- Next Nordic Generation Award – FREE MEN (Director: Óskar Kristinn Vignisson / Producer Søs Thøstesen)
New trailer for Isabella Carbonell’s Dogborn
Isabella Carbonell’s Venice-bound debut ‘Dogborn‘ had a teaser trailer released last week and it certainly looks like one to watch out for in the future.
The film stars Philip Oros and Silvana Imam, the latter making her step from the music industry to the film in her debut role. We are already taken by the story here and how slick the film looks and shall be talking to the film’s director next month.
What is coming up in September?
Are you ready for September? Get set – its going to be a busy month!
- On the 8th September our patience will finally pay off as Entrapped (season three of Trapped) comes to Netflix!
- On the 15th September Christian Tafdrup’s dark horror Speak No Evil will be released on Shudder – watch out for interview with the director next week.
- We get another dose of Icelandic TV series with Sisterhood coming to Walter Presents on the 16th September.
- Hanna Bergholm’s Hatching is also released on the 16th September and will be in selected cinemas.
- And finally, Season two of Snabba Cash comes to Netflix on the 22nd September which we are very excited about!
Of course there are always some extra series and films that suddenly appear – to keep up to date with them please give us a follow at @NordicWatchlist over on Instagram and Twitter.
Feature by Alex Minnis
