Nordic International Film Festival

A Place in the Sun
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Scandinavia House (map)
Directed by: Mette Carla Albrechtsen
Country: Denmark/Sweden
Premiere: North American Premiere
The sun shines all year round in Gran Canaria. That is why four million tourists arrive every year, transforming the popular island in the Atlantic Ocean into a pastel-coloured paradise. But not everyone is on holiday. Some live and work amidst the hustle and bustle of colourful drinks and inflatable beach toys, and these are the people filmmaker Mette Carla Albrechtsen has sought out. What is it really like to have a permanent address in a holiday paradise? We meet people fleeing war, cold, violent partners and, not least, themselves. One thing is certain: You shouldn’t get too attached to anyone in Gran Canaria, because most people are just passing through. In a stylish, visual imagery, we witness life’s twists and turns between sandcastles, parties and overcrowded swimming pools, while escapism and creeping melancholy slowly reveal themselves behind the festive surface.
PG-13: Brief nudity

Purchase Tickets

Nordic Shorts Block A
2:30pm - 3:30pm
Scandinavia House (map)

Neon
Directed by: Clara Olausson
Country: Sweden
Premiere: International Premiere
A mother takes her son to a deserted house near the sea on his birthday. She self-medicates and forces him to go to a party nearby. A story of family connection, and a young mind maturing quicker than they should.
PG-13: Flashing or Strobing Lights Known to Aggravate Photosensitive Epilepsy, Rape / Sexual Assault, Suicide / Self-Harm, Substance Abuse (drugs, alcohol)

Goodnight, then
Directed by: Johan Stavsjö
Country: Sweden
Premiere: International Premiere
When Nanna and Tim go to bed, a discussion arises about who should initiate sex. A night when gender norms and expectations take control of the bedroom.
PG-13: Adult language

Game Rules
Directed by: Christian Zetterberg
Country: Sweden
Premiere: New York Premiere
A youth handball team is about to participate in their first major tournament. As they aim for the top, facing professional players, talent scouts and sponsors, the game is suddenly interrupted by adults questioning who’s really allowed to play.

Showers
Directed by: Logi Sigursveinsson
Country: Iceland
Premiere: US Premiere
A father picks up his son from prison in an attempt to reconnect with him. During the drive from the prison gate until the central bus station, the son discovers that his father has more faces than he could have ever imagined.
PG-13: Excessive or Gratuitous Violence, Substance Abuse (drugs, alcohol)

Bicycle Thief
Directed by: Pekka Ollula
Country: Finland
Premiere: North American Premiere
A heartwarming but appropriately devilish tale of a small-town bowling alley entrepreneur whose life takes an unexpected turn when his bicycle goes missing. The film pays a homage to Vittorio de Sica by borrowing its title from one of his classics, just like an honest thief does, and wins you over with its charming cast, beautiful cinematography, and heartfelt story.
"Bicycle Thief" is a tribute to both classic neorealist filmmaking and the everyday moments that make life worth living.
G: Substance Abuse (drugs, alcohol)

Purchase Tickets

Nordic Shorts Block B
4:30pm - 6:30pm
Scandinavia House (map)

The Remaining Ones
Directed by: Filip Koren
Country: Norway
Premiere: North American Premiere
Peder reflects on his childhood memories when he attends to his father’s funeral. His older half siblings expects him to honor their father, but Peder’s memories are telling him otherwise.
G: Torture / Abuse (physical, mental, emotional, verbal, sexual), Substance Abuse (drugs, alcohol)

Rainbow Dick
Directed by: Marie Limkilde
Country: Denmark
Premiere: International Premiere
AK and Ella reunite so Ella can give AK some of her stuff back after breaking up. The meeting between the two in AK's apartment draws out memories in both of them. And as their relationship is relived, we experience the intimate and moving journey they had together. A bond that once was so strong, which now is something else. A very specific prop plays a quite special role in this intense closeup of people who share feelings for one another.
PG-13: Adult language

Amidst
Directed by: Pia Andell
Country: Finland
Premiere: North American Premiere
Everything is perfect, and then, boom!

Camping in Paradise
Directed by: Eirik Tveiten
Country: Norway
A philosopher and his girlfriend involuntarily must spend a night at a nudist campsite, which is far beyond their comfort zone. At the campsite they meet a friendly couple, and this reveals underlying conflicts and creates tension in their relationship.
R: Nudity, Alcohol

Fest and Stress
Directed by: Chris Østergaard Holm & Mads Østergaard Holm
Country: Denmark
Premiere: New York Premiere
Ulrik shows up to a canceled bachelor party and forces himself to stay, for no clear reason, making the depressed groom confused and his protective friend, Bo, hostile.
PG

Purchase Tickets

The Idiot
7:30pm - 9:15pm
Scandinavia House (map)
Directed by: Kasper Rune Larsen
Country: Denmark
Premiere: North American Premiere
After falling in love, Tobias and Cille begin to change their lives. Tobias has finished rehab, and Cille is slowly getting back to a normal life after several years of mental and physical illness. The young couple are now expecting their first child, but the happy circumstances prove to be a setback as their unfortunate past clings to them. During a clarification course, Tobias has discovered that his calling in life is to become an actor; one who can entertain and bring joy.
But those closest to Tobias do not support him - and instead try to pull him down. The authorities begin to question whether the young couple is even fit to become parents.
NC-17: Flashing or Strobing Lights Known to Aggravate Photosensitive Epilepsy, Substance Abuse (drugs, alcohol)

Purchase Tickets