The seventh annual Scandinavian Film Festival L.A., sponsored by ASFLA, comes to the Writers Guild Theater, Beverly Hills, and spans two weekends: Sunday, 15 January, Friday, 20 January, and Saturday, 21 January, 2006. The yearly showcase of Nordic films and filmmakers, launched in 2000, screens the year's Scandinavian films submitted to the Academy as nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film. It also offers documentaries, short subjects and other pictures by Scandinavian filmmakers. Non-competitive, the festival gives Southern California audiences an opportunity to see the best in contemporary film from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. is underwritten by ASFLA with Scandinavian consulates, and generous support of national film organizations, individuals and corporate donors. If you'd like to become a festival sponsor, please see the "Patrons" information at the bottom of this page, or email ASFLA.

2006 Festival Schedule

Download and print a 2006 festival schedule and ticket order form, in pdf format (in MS Word format). Complete the form and save, then fax, mail or email it with your payment. See "How to Order Tickets," below, for prices and payment information.

    *   Submitted to the Academy Awards for consideration as an Oscar nominee in the Best Foreign-Language Film category.

    +  Gratis with the purchase of respective, accompanying feature-film admission.

Sunday, 15 January - Gala Opening Day

Featuring special guests throughout the day, including the films directors, producers, actors and actresses.

2 p.m.         MOTHER OF MINE (Parhain),* Finland 2005, 105 min. Klaus Here. When nine-year-old Eero's father is killed in the war, his mother sends him to refuge in Sweden, a neutral country. Life in a foreign country gets off to a bad start when Eero discovers a letter from his mother who suggests that Eero should stay in Sweden for good. Shocked and abandoned, Eero becomes attached to his foster mother. But when the war ends and the children return to Finland, Eero again begins anew. The scars of war are buried in the past. But on his aged mother's death bed, Eero looks the past in the eye. After decades of silence, he finally speaks the about the war, his mother's choices, and his pain. Advance reservation recommended by Fri., 13 Jan. 2006; followed by reception.

4:55 p.m.     CARGO,+ Norway/short 2005, 5 min. Marcelino M. Valiente. There are Bergman-esque musings in this five-minute film that weighs issues about life, death, infinity, and points of departure and arrival. Followed by:

5 p.m.           KISSED BY WINTER (Vinterkyss),* Norway 2005, 83 min. Sara Johnsen. Johnsen's debut film is set against a winter landscape, and tells the story of a Stockholm doctor whose scholarly son dies after she bullies him into playing hockey. She leaves her husband and sets up as a country doctor in the snowbound wilds of Norway. When the body of a young Iraqi is found by the side of the road in a snowdrift and a genial snowplow driver is suspected of manslaughter, the doctor determines to find the truth. In the process, the film presents its fascinating, profound and touching examination of the unimaginable grief and guilt that results from the loss of a child. Advance reservation recommended by Fri., 13 Jan. 2006.

6:30 p.m.    Gala Opening Buffet. The Gala Opening includes a buffet and no-host bar at 6:30 p.m., with film screening at 8:15 p.m., followed by champagne dessert table. Advance reservation required by Fri., 13 Jan. 2006. Followed by:

8:15 p.m.     ZOZO, Sweden 2005,* 103 min. Josef Fares. Fares follows the successful features JALLA! JALLA! and KOPS with the story of Zozo, who grew up in Beirut and, despite civil war, tries to live a normal life with family, friends and school. But tragedy strikes one day and Zozo is torn away from his family and forced to find hope, and make his own way through life in unknown territory. Advance reservation recommended by Fri., 13 Jan. 2006; followed by champagne dessert table.

Friday, 20 January

6:30 p.m.     CHINAMAN (Kinamand), Denmark 2005, 88 min. Henrik Ruben Genz. When Keld's wife walks out on him, describing their 25 years of married life as a "cemetery," his world collapses. He sells the furniture, shuts down his plumbing business, and settles into a routine of nightly meals from a local Chinese takeaway. When the restaurant owner offers him a large sum of money to marry the owner's sister, to help her obtain a Danish green card, he accepts because he needs the money to pay off his ex-wife. This sets into motion a haunting cross-cultural romantic comedy full of understatement and subtle irony.

8:15 p.m.     MANSLAUGHTER (Drabet), Denmark 2005, 103 min. Per Fly. Fifty-two-year-old Carsten is a popular, much-respected high-school teacher. He's married to Nina; they have a son, Tobias. Carsten is having an affair with a former student, Pil, who is an extreme left-wing activist. One night Pil is part of a raid that goes wrong and a policeman is killed. Pil and two other activists are arrested. Carsten's affair is revealed and he leaves his stunned wife, Nina, to devote all his resources to supporting Pil. But a policeman is dead, two families are destroyed, and guilt begins to grow slowly but surely.

Saturday, 21 January

10:30 a.m.   SCREAMING MASTERPIECE (Gargandi Snilld), Iceland/documentary 2005, 87 min. Ari Alexander Ergis Magnusson. This feature-length documentary captures the energy of the world's hottest independent music scene in Iceland's cool capital city of Reykjavik, with masterful performances by international superstars like Bjork, Sigur Ros and Mum, as well as an insider look at local club offerings by a host of unpronounceable names, but who play unforgettable music.

Noon            AHEAD OF TIME (Takt Timann),* Iceland 2005, 95 min. Gudmundsson. After 22 years the Icelandic director offers the sequel to his musical comedy ON TOP, which was Iceland's undisputed number-one hit of all time. The first film was the story of the rivalry between two rock groups -- one male, one female. The current opus reunites the members of the male group, now aging and going downhill quickly. Even though a critic has called them "seven Icelandic fruitcakes in ugly clothes," they see the opportunity for a big comeback.

2 p.m.           HOMESICK (Koti-ikeve), Finland 2005, 85 min. Petri Kotwica. After an accident, 17-year-old Sami, who does not talk or show feelings, is taken against his mother's will to the youth ward of a mental hospital. Sami's new roommate would prefer staying forever at the hospital and the two develop a strange friendship. A caring male nurse decides to find out what was behind an "accident" in this story about survival, care, and hope.

4 p.m.         MOTHER OF MINE (Parhain),* Finland 2005, 105 min. Klaus Here (second screening). When nine-year-old Eero's father is killed in the war, his mother sends him to refuge in Sweden, a neutral country. Life in a foreign country, however, doesn't get off to a good start. Eero discovers a letter from his mother who writes that Eero should perhaps stay in Sweden for good. Shocked and feeling abandoned, Eero becomes attached to his foster mother. The war ends and the children return to Finland and, once again, Eero must begin anew. The scars of war must be buried in the past. On the death bed of his aged mother, Eero looks his past in the eye. After decades of silence, he's finally ready to talk about the war, his mother's choices, and his pain.

5:50 p.m.     TOUCHED (Berert),+ Norway/short 2005, 10 min. Marcelino M. Valiente. Inspired by a short story by Norwegian writer Knut Hamsuns, about love, passion and the unexpected. Followed by:

6 p.m.           AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE (En Folkefiende), Norway 2005, 90 min. Erik Skjoldbjorg. Skjoldbjorg, who first gained international recognition for his 1997 feature debut INSOMNIA and consolidated his reputation in 2001 with the explosive PROZAC NATION, presents a modern version of Ibsen's classic play in which a TV celebrity intends to revitalize his small hometown in partnership with his brother by marketing local spring water. Their venture stumbles as traces of a banned pesticide are found in the water and bankruptcy threatens, dividing the brothers about the best course of action.

7:45 p.m.     HARRY'S DAUGHTERS (Harrys Dattrar), Sweden 2004, 100 min. Richard Hobert. This intense drama with psycho-thriller elements is set into motion when two sisters find themselves pregnant at the same time. At a dinner, the older sister feels ill and becomes alarmed that something is wrong with her baby. Both couples go to the hospital together, only to find that one baby is fine and the other has died. After the birth of the healthy child, the sisters' relationship becomes strained as one becomes obsessive, setting the scene for frightening developments. Followed by ASFLA closing party at 9:30 p.m.

Nordic Cafe

Between screenings, you're invited to network and nosh at the Nordic Cafe in the theater lobby, where you'll enjoy refreshments and the good company of others who share a love for Scandinavian film and Hollywood.

Admission

Click here to download and print a festival schedule and order form in pdf format (in MS Word format). Complete the form and save, then fax, mail or email it with your payment.

How to Order Tickets

Order tickets in one of these ways:

        

  • Click on the PayPal button below. Enter your total amount, click "Continue," then enter in the "Message to Seller" field a detailed itemization of your order, plus your phone number. Note: There is no shipping; please pick up your ticket(s) at will-call.

  • Email your order to Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. Box Office

  • Fax your order to (323)661-4273.

  • Mail your order to Scandinavian Film Festival L.A; P.O. Box 292329; Los Angeles, CA 90029.

            

  • Call the film festival box office at (323)661-4273.

    Please send your order for the Gala Opening reception, buffet, screening and champagne dessert table (Jan. 15) so that the box office receives it no later than 13 Jan. 2006.

    Please itemize your order to include:

  • The number of gala or buffet packages and/or name(s) of film(s)/number(s) of ticket(s).

  • A check (made payable to ASFLA), money order or charge authorization for the total cost.

  • If paying by credit card, your name as it appears on the card, address, telephone number, credit-card type (Visa and MasterCard accepted), credit-card number and expiration date.

  • Add an ASFLA membership

  • Note: there is no shipping. All tickets and passes are held at the festival box office until the date of the event, reserved under the name of the individual who placed the order. Please pick up tickets and passes at the will-call line upon arrival. Be prepared to show identification.

    Location

    The Writers Guild of America Theatre is located at 135 S. Doheny Dr. at Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills (the southwest corner of Wilshire and Doheny), California 90211. There is parking on the street and in the Writers Guild Theater lot for a fee.

    Patrons

    Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. is underwritten by American-Scandinavian Foundation of Los Angeles, the consulates of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, with the generous support of national film organizations, individuals and corporate donors. Donors of $125 and more receive a free opening-day pass (three screenings, reception, Gala Opening buffet, champagne dessert table, and more). Donors of $175 and more receive a festival passport good for VIP admission to all screenings and events. Donors of $250 and more receive two festival passports. All donors are listed in the festival program (subject to the printing deadline) and an invitation to a special "King Oscar" post-festival party. Learn more about becoming a sponsor, and how to make your tax-deductible donation.

    Now in its seventh year, Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. offers a Nordic visibility and voice in the Oscar race. Attracting audiences that are part Southland film afficionados, part film professionals, and part homesick Nordic folk anxious to see something new from home, "The festival takes people North to see who might be the next Bergman, or receive one of the coveted Best Foreign-Language Film nominations," said festival founder/director Jim Koenig.

    All five Scandinavian consulates enthusiastically hail the event as an important part of the arts scene in Los Angeles as well as a boon to cultural exchange between the U.S. and Nordic countries. Funding for the event is dependent on individual and corporate donors, the consulates, and the Nordic film institutes. The festival was launched in Feb. 2000 with the Danish Film Institute as the primary sponsor. If you'd like to become an individual or corporate sponsor please contact ASFLA, or call (323)661-4273, to express your interest in making your gift.

    Proceeds from the film festival -- and all ASFLA activities -- fund a scholarship program for upper-division and graduate students at Los Angeles-area colleges and universities.

    For more information, contact ASFLA at (323)661-4273.

    About the 2005 Film Festival

    About the 2004 Film Festival

    About the 2003 Film Festival

    About the 2002 Film Festival

    About the 2001 Film Festival

    About the 2000 Film Festival

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      American-Scandinavian Foundation of Los Angeles (ASFLA), due to circumstances beyond its control, reserves the right to change screenings and schedule without prior written notice.