The Stockholm International Film Festival will take place between November 5th and16th. The year’s most colourful film marathon is finally here and will be screening 135 fantastic film premieres from 60 countries that continue to explore and promote the great directors of tomorrow.
With so many exciting films, embracing a variety of topics and styles, it is easy to feel a little lost when trying to maximise your festival experience and discover the festival’s most valuable pearls. And that is why we have dived into the festival’s program head first to bring you a selection of 20 films consisting of all the unmissable films at this year’s festival. Films that will get you reflecting on important topics, films that will answer some of your questions or maybe bring you to new wonderings, films that will inspire you and move you. Enjoy the festival!
Alpha – by Julia Ducournau, Belgium, France
The director of »Titane« and Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau returns with »Alpha«, a physically unsettling story about a thirteen-year-old girl who comes home with a tattoo. Soon, signs begin to appear that she has been infected by the virus that is spreading fear throughout the city—a virus that slowly turns the body into marble. As fear grows, rumours about the infection become as big a threat as the disease itself. Guilt and love swirl in an apocalyptic landscape where desire and disaster merge.
Screenings: Sture 3 13/11 – Bio Scandia – Face2Face 14/11 – Bio Rio 16/11
Anemone – by Ronan Day-Lewis, USA, United Kingdom
It was eight years ago Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement from acting, but now he is back, starring in his own son’s powerful directorial debut. »Anemone« follows Jem (Sean Bean), who visits his estranged brother in the forest (Day-Lewis), who abandoned his family after a tragic event. The tense encounter soon turns into a reckoning with the brother’s traumatic childhood. Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis once again demonstrates why he is one of the greatest actors of all time in this hyper-realistic and spellbinding tale.
Screenings: Skandia 10/11 – Saga 1 13/11 – Sture 1 16/11
Below the Clouds – by Gianfranco Rosi, Italy
The threats of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and forest fires haunt the inhabitants below Mount Vesuvius. This is evident from all the calls to the emergency services. Director Gianfranco Rosi (»Fire at Sea«, »Sacro GRA«) has spent three years following various people in Naples, and the result is an artistic mosaic of a place marked by climate crisis and mistrust, but also beauty. The Venice Film Festival award-winning »Below the Clouds«, with its beautiful black-and-white tableaux and ghostly nostalgic atmosphere, is a delight for the senses, signed by Italy’s foremost documentary filmmaker.
Screenings: Filmhuset Salong Mauritz 5/11 – Skandia 14/11 – Klarabiografen 15/11
Blue Velvet + F2F Isabella Rossellini – by David Lynch, USA
One of the world’s most iconic actors arrives at the Stockholm International Film Festival! This fall, as the festival screens David Lynch’s classic film »Blue Velvet« and welcomes Academy Award nominated Isabella Rossellini for a unique Face2Face-talk with film journalist Stig Björkman.
When college student Jeffrey Beaumont discovers a severed human ear in a garden, he is pulled into a world of violence, sexual obsession, and moral decay. The trail leads him to nightclub singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), trapped in a sadistic relationship with the menacing pimp Frank. »Blue Velvet« is a milestone in American cinema – a nightmarish journey into the twisted darkness lurking behind white picket fences and neatly trimmed lawns. With a hypnotic blend of film noir, surrealism, and psychological horror, Lynch’s unmistakable sense of atmosphere lets rising star Isabella Rossellini shine as the femme fatale in blue velvet.
Screenings: Skandia 14/11
Christy – by David Michôd, USA
In the late 1980s, Christy Salter’s boxing career takes off. She is introduced to the sexist trainer James Martin, and a few years later they are married. As she climbs the rankings, her husband becomes increasingly controlling. »Christy« is a gripping boxing film based on real-life events, where blood, sweat and tears are found both outside and inside the sport. Sydney Sweeney gives a brilliant performance as the inspiring and unusual Christy Martin, for whom the boxing ring became a refuge from the violence outside.
Screenings: Saga 1 5/11 – Sture 3 7/11 – Saga 3 12/11
Die, My Love – by Lynne Ramsay, USA, Canada, United Kingdom
»Die My Love«, based on a 2017 novel, is the fifth feature film by the idiosyncratic director Lynne Ramsay. Her style has continued to evolve, from the social realism of »We Need to Talk About Kevin« and the Cannes-awarded »You Were Never Really Here«, to this intense, sensual, and detailed genre drama produced by Martin Scorsese.
Jennifer Lawrence, who won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2013 (»Silver Linings Playbook«), gets to use her full potential here as unpredictable, crazy, and human. Robert Pattinson, who is selective with the roles he chooses and most recently shone in Bong Joon-ho’s »Mickey 17«, also gives a magnetic performance.
Screenings: Skandia 15/11 – Sture 1 15/11 – Sture 2 16/11
Eagles of the Republic – by Tarik Saleh, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France
This intense political thriller follows Egypt’s brightest film star, George Fahmy (Fares Fares), who falls out of favor with the regime and is pressured to take the lead role in a propaganda film about President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi in order to save his career. He becomes entangled in a web of sex, propaganda, and corruption within the closed corridors of power in this stylish and gripping Cairo drama, where Saleh once again scrutinizes Egypt’s political and religious elite.
In addition to the trilogy’s magnetic central figure Fares Fares, the cast includes French star Lyna Khoudri, French-Moroccan Zineb Triki (»The Bureau«), and Egyptian Hollywood star Amr Waked. Fares Fares and Tarik Saleh will be present for a Face2Face conversation when this year’s edition of the Stockholm International Film Festival opens at Bio Skandia on November 5 with the gala premiere of »Eagles of the Republic«.
Screenings: Skandia 5/11 – Sture 1 7/11 – Skandia 9/11
Eternity – by David Freyne, USA
This year’s feel-good comedy where »Materialists« meets »Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind«. »Eternity« takes place in a glittering afterlife where the dead are given one week to choose who – and in which eternity zone – they want to spend the rest of their time with. For Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), the choice is impossible: should she choose her husband Larry (Miles Teller) or her childhood sweetheart (Callum Turner), who has been waiting decades for her arrival? An absurd, stylish, and deeply human story about love beyond death.
Screenings: Skandia 9/11 – Capitol 15/11
Hijra – by Shahad Ameen, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom
The silent resistance of women is magnificent in this Venice-acclaimed gem about the search for a missing sister. »Hijra« is about 12-year-old Janna and 18-year-old Sara who, together with their grandmother, travel on a bus full of women to Mecca. When they get off the bus, Sara suddenly disappears in the crowd. Free in the vast landscape, the grandmother and her youngest granddaughter get to know each other beyond social conventions, in a country where women’s status is strictly regulated. Their journey is beautifully filmed in nine locations around Saudi Arabia, with landscapes rarely seen in film.
Screenings: Saga 4 6/11 – Sture 3 11/11 – Skandia 14/11
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You – by Mary Bronstein, USA
»If I Had Legs I’d Kick You« by Mary Bronstein (»Yeast«) is a wild and poignant rollercoaster ride of a film experience. In this existential fever dream about motherhood, marriage, and therapy, Rose Byrne, as New York therapist Linda, devotedly takes us on an escalating spiral of stress with supernatural elements. A connection to the Safdie brothers is evident in the camerawork, tension, and inner turmoil, while unexpected appearances from A$AP Rocky and Conan O’Brien add humor – making this one of the year’s strongest indie films.
Screenings: Saga 3 6/11 – Sture 2 13/11 – Sture 1 15/11
Ky Nam Inn – by Leon Le, Vietnam
Saigon, 1985. Writer Khang has been commissioned a re-translation of “The Little Prince” since the old, beloved version does not align with the interests of the country’s new administration. He moves to a temporary residence, where he meets the neighbours, as well as the widow Ky Nam. Both of them work from home and feelings emerge quickly between them. »Ky Nam Inn« is a visual, longing and bitter-sweet tribute to love where every frame is a work of art. The film clearly pays homage to the classic »In the Mood for Love«, but instead of the Hong Kong of the 60s, Leon Le depicts here an authentic post-war Saigon.
Screenings: Filmhuset Salong Mauritz 7/11 – Sture 3 8/11 – Skandia 11/11
Jimpa – by Sophie Hyde, USA, Australia, The Netherlands
Sophie Hyde‘s »Jimpa« is a warm, courageous, and slightly absurd family portrait that straddles the line between documentary and fiction. Inspired by the director’s own story and her non-binary child, who plays a version of themselves in the film, Hyde explores gender identity and family roles. Olivia Colman gives a brilliant performance as indie director Hannah, who visits her outspoken father (John Lithgow) with her family – the man who left her as a child to live out his sexual identity.
Screenings: Sture 2 7/11 – Capitol 9/11 – Skandia 15/11
Late Fame – by Kent Jones, USA
Former poet Ed (Willem Dafoe) has lived an anonymous life as a postal worker in New York for 37 years. When a young admirer rediscovers his old poetry collection, he is drawn into the city’s new art scene and confronted with his past. With a sharp script by the writer behind »May December«, »Late Fame« is a witty, funny and pitch-perfect Manhattan gem about nostalgia, creativity and changing cultural scenes. A film in which the old and new New York collide with both warmth and sharpness.
Screenings: Sture 1 5/11 – Sture 1 15/11 – Sture 1 16/11
Lurker – by Alex Russell, USA, Italy
In »Lurker«, we follow shop assistant Matthew, a sort of »Saltburn« meets »The Talented Mr Ripley« character, who works in a trendy clothing store in Los Angeles. One day, his idol walks into the shop, Instagram musician Oliver, and Matthew starts playing Oliver’s favourite song on the speakers. The trick works, and soon he is part of the artist’s inner circle. But when a new fan is invited into the group, Matthew becomes desperate. Lurker is an unpredictable, comical and clever thriller about fan culture and obsession, with a tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Screenings: Skandia 9/11 – Sture 1 10/11 – Sture 2 14/11
Mārama – by Taratoa Stappard, New Zealand, United Kingdom
The year is 1859, and when young Maori woman Mary receives an invitation to England, she travels there to explore her roots. She is welcomed into a large Victorian house full of Maori artefacts and becomes governess to the British homeowner’s daughter. But Mary soon discovers an insidious motive behind her invitation, and she decides to take revenge. Marama is a chilling and stylish revenge thriller about a woman who settles scores with years of colonial oppression. Ariana Osborne‘s incredible performance brings to mind Lily-Rose Depp in »Nosferatu«.
Screenings: Sture 3 5/11 – Zita 1 8/11 – Sture 3 15/11
Reflection in A Dead Diamond – by Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg
James Bond meets the cult classic »Danger: Diabolik« in French married couple Hélène Cattet’s and Bruno Forzanis‘ atmospheric spy film. It takes place on the Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera, where retired spy John Diman is forced into one last mission. In a labyrinth of perspectives with fragmented, comic book-like editing, the viewer is challenged to question reality. The result is a visual feast and a real adrenaline and dopamine rush. Just go with it.
Meet the directors for a Face2Face November 15 at 21.00 at Bio Skandia.
Screenings: Saga 2 5/11 – Sture 2 8/11 – Skandia 15/11
The Blue Trail – by Gabriel Mascaro, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, The Netherlands
A futuristic and dystopian Brazil is under control of an authoritarian regime obsessed with productivity. People over the age of 75 are sent away to “colonies” so that the young can focus on the country’s growth undisturbed. But when Tereza’s turn comes to be removed, she refuses to fold and instead escapes to the water. »The Blue Trail«, winner of the Silver Bear at the Berlin film festival, has been described as a “No country for old women”. It is a hopeful, magical and life-appreciating story about fighting against societal norms and daring to live.
Meet the director Gabriel Mascaro for a Face2Face, on Sture 1 Sunday November 9.
Screenings: Sture 2 7/11 – Zita 1 8/11 – Sture 1 9/11
The Secret Agent – by Kleber Mendonça Filho, Brazil
Academic Marcelo (Wagner Moura, »Narcos«) tries to flee Brazil’s military dictatorship with his son. Along the way, he encounters a resistance movement, but also dead bodies. The threat of violence simmers everywhere, with people disappearing from the radar, perhaps because they said too much, perhaps because they criticized the wrong person. Despite this dark chapter in Brazil’s history, »The Secret Agent« is a love letter to a bygone era, with tape recorders, vinyl records, and phone booths. The film won several major awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including Best Actor for Wagner Moura and Best Director.
Screenings: Saga 2 5/11 – Capitol 8/11 – Skandia 16/11
Vanilla – by Mayra Hermosillo, Mexico
In a house in 1980s Mexico, seven women from different generations struggle to save their shared home, which is threatened by being sold. The story unfolds through the eyes of eight-year-old Roberta, whose gaze captures both the struggles of daily life and the magic of childhood. »Vanilla«, inspired by director Mayra Hermosillo’s own upbringing, is a poetic and heartfelt love letter to the women who shaped her. A powerful story of family and belonging – where the playfulness of childhood collides with the gravity of the adult world.
Screenings: Sture 1 5/11 – Sture 3 9/11 – Skandia 13/11
Yakushima’s Illusion – by Naomi Kawase, Belgium, France, Japan, Luxembourg
»Phantom Thread« favorite Vicky Krieps plays Corry, a pediatrician in Tokyo who is at odds with conservative values. The department is plagued by existential doubts about offering organ transplants to children. At the same time, Corry deals with the loss of her boyfriend, who has become a johatsu—a self-imposed exile. Kawase evokes both social debate and cinematic poetry in a work that contrasts the fragility of the body with the power of the memories we carry of each other, as well as the gift of giving life to others.
Screenings: Sture 2 7/11 – Skandia 12/11 – Zita 1 14/11
