SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL LA 2023

By José Alberto Hermosillo

The Scandinavian Film Festival Los Angeles 2023 is back for in-person screenings on the weekends of Jan 14-15 & 21-22, 2023, at the Writers Guild of America Theater, 135 W. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, California, 90211. Tickets are for sale at the box office. 

The extraordinary selection of Nordic films includes Oscar entries from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden in the Best International Feature Film category for the 95th Academy Awards.

For more information and a full calendar, visit Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. 2023

Set in Iran, “Holy Spider” chronicles the journey of a religious serial killer named “Spider Killer,” who murdered 16 prostitutes in Iran between 2000-2001, and the brave female Iranian journalist who discovered the truth. The Diminish production directed by Ali Abbasi (“Border”) is an international success.

Norway’s participation in WWII is exhibited in “War Sailor,” where two best friends joined the armed forces to bring supplies to G.B. and get cough in the middle. At the war’s end, the government did not treat the veterans with honor, respect, monetary retribution, or financial aid.  

The celebrated film “Cairo Conspiracy,” also known as “Boy From Heaven,” Made in Egypt, produced by Sweden, France, and Finland, and directed by Tarik Saleh, talks about Adam, a young son of a fisherman with a scholarship to go to study Muslim in Cairo when a classmate takes him for a night out in the city. The film won best screenplay at Cannes 2022. 

A Finnish coming-of-age film directed by Alli Haapasalo. The Audience Award winner in the International competition at Sundance 2022 talks about three best friends getting along during the darkness of the winter in Finland, trying to make sense of their lives and loves under those weather conditions. 

The Icelandic Oscar entry “Beautiful Beings” narrates the story of Addi, a boy raised by a clairvoyant mother who decides to adopt a bullied misfit into his gang of outsiders. The boys explore aggression and violence but also learn about loyalty and love. As the group’s behavior escalates towards life-threatening situations, Addi begins to experience a series of dreamlike visions. Can his newfound intuition guide him and his friends back to a safer path, or will they dive irrevocably into further violence?

“The Wait” presents a love triangle between a pastor, his wife, and his friend on a remote Finnish island. The film is adapted from Juhani Aho’s novel The Pastor’s Wife. The music is composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen, the former Los Angeles Philharmonic music director.

 

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

 

“Everybody Hates Johan,” a Norwegian comedy about an adventurous and free-spirited middle-aged man named Johan Grande whose passion for horses and explosives represents a threat to his community. His quest for love will continue until the end.

 

For more information and a full calendar, visit:  

Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. 2023 

 

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SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL L.A 2020

By José Alberto Hermosillo

Prepare to enjoy two consecutive and amazing weekends of Nordic movies at the Writers Guild of America Theater in Beverly Hills at the Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. 2020. The festival’s 21^st edition includes a remarkable selection of films from the Northern European countries - including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

The festival screens some fantastic shorts and documentaries as well. 

 The features include this year’s Oscar submissions, such as “The Mover” from Latvia, and “Stupid Young Heart” from Finland. 

The outstanding erotic thriller “Queen of Hearts” submitted from Denmark, with the extraordinary performance of the renowned Danish actress Trine Dyrholm (“In a Better World,” “Love is All You Need,” “Nico”). 

The festival continues screening the highly praised and critics' favorite “A White, White Day” from Iceland.

Special mention to the charming film representing Sweden “And Then We Danced” about a risky love among the very traditional Georgian dances.

Another of the festival highlights is the unmissable Academy shortlisted epic, “Truth and Justice” from Estonia.

The Opening Night Gala includes a reception with a buffet before the screening of the sensational book adaptation “Out Stealing Horses” from Norway.

The Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. closes with “Daniel” from Denmark. The story is about a Danish photographer captured by ISIS in Syria in 2013 and held hostage for 398 days. 

 James Koenig, host, director, and founder of the SFFLA. Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo, Festival in LA ©2019

Many of the films will include Q&A's with the filmmakers, cast and crew. After each movie. The people involved in the films are always ready to talk about the arts and crafts in their industry. The friendly Nordic visitors like mingle with Angelinos. 

Gustav Mollër, director of The Guilty. Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo, Festival in LA ©2019

Scandinavian Film Festiva LAl 2020 Festival in LA ©2019

If one of your New Year resolutions is to start watching good movies, the Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. is the answer. The festival is considered, for many, a small gem in the Los Angeles festival circuit. 

 Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo, Festival in LA © 2019

The hospitability and organization of the festival make any film lover feel welcome. The receptions include good wine, food, live music, and stunning quality of films from the countries located on the top of the world. 

 SFFLA Cake. Photo José Alberto Hermosillo, Festival in LA ©2019

You can buy your season pass for $140.00 to all the films and events.

Individual tickets are $12.00.

Scandinavian Film Festival LA Festival in LA ©2019

For more information about the Scandinavian Film Festival Los Angeles, please visit the festival's website, www.sffla.net 

Scandinavian Film Festival LA 2020. Festival in LA ©2019

PROGRAM: schedule.

Follow SFFLA by email  -  Facebook  - Twitter @scandifilmfest

 Film Critic José Alberto Hermosillo, www.FestivalinLA.com ©2019

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9 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS ADVANCE IN THE OSCAR® RACE 2019

By José Alberto Hermosillo

9 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS ADVANCE IN THE OSCAR® RACE 2019
www.FestivalinLA.com

This week, the Academy preselected nine foreign films in competition, before they announce the five nominees next month.

The nine films give more diversity to the foreign language competition this year. The usual contenders from Europe are facing fierce competition from Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.

Two of those Oscar-worthy movies are big surprises, Colombia and Kazakhstan. Only two films are part of the frequently nominated countries: Denmark and Germany.

Lebanon gets its second nomination in the row. Poland and South Korea are also strong contenders as well. 

The winner of the Palme d'Or in Cannes will face off Vs. the winner of the Golden Lion in Venice - Shoplifters from Japan Vs. Roma from Mexico.

The significant absentees this year are Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden. Their projects didn't have enough stamina to go farther and reach one of the nine semifinalists spots.

9 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS ADVANCE IN THE OSCAR® RACE 2019
www.FestivalinLA.com

Nine films will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 91st Academy Awards. 

Colombia, “Birds of Passage”
Denmark, “The Guilty”
Germany, “Never Look Away”
Japan, “Shoplifters”
Kazakhstan, “Ayka”
Lebanon, “Capernaum”
Mexico, “Roma”
Poland, “Cold War”
South Korea, “Burning.”

Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

The 91st Oscars^® will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre^® at Hollywood & Highland Center^® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network. 

The Oscars will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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FRENCH "DIVINES" WINS THREE AWARDS AT THE AFIFEST 2016

By José Alberto Hermosillo

AFI Fest 2016 Presented by Audi announced the Jury and Audience Awards Winners.

Excellent choices. The 2016 AFIFest winners are absolutely fantastic.

Houda Benyamina, French Director, Divines. Photo by Jose Hermosillo,  COPYRIGHT Festival in LA, 2016

The French production "Divines" won three of the awards, the film has plenty of diversity and creativity, and displays an insightful vision of teenagers in trouble, a must see!!!

Other winners were "The Future Perfect," a corky comedy of Asian immigrants in Argentina. And a war drama "Land of Mine."

THE FUTURE PERFECT, DIR Nele Wohlatz. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016 

New Auteurs Grand Jury Award: THE FUTURE PERFECT

DIVINES, Dir. Houda Benyamina and actress Amamra Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

New Auteurs Special Jury Mention for Acting: Oulaya Amamra for DIVINES

Photo by Jose A. Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

Grand Jury Award – Live Action Short: ICEBOX

Grand Jury Award – Animated Short: PUSSY

Live Action Short Special Mention for Comedic Narrative: HOUNDS

Live Action Short Special Mention for Documentary: THE SEND-OFF

Live Action Short Special Mention for Acting: DREAMING OF BALTIMORE

Live Action Short Special Mention for Cinematography: A THOUSAND MIDNIGHTS

Live Action Short Special Mention: SPEAKING IS DIFFICULT

Animated Short Special Jury Mention: SUMMER CAMP ISLAND

Animated Short Special Jury Mention for Mixed Media: DEER FLOWER

Animated Short Special Jury Mention for Visual Aesthetics: SUPERBIA

Mikael Chr. Rieks, producer, Land of Mine, Denmark. Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016  

World Cinema Audience Award: LAND OF MINE

New Auteurs Audience Award: DIVINE

American Independents Audience Award: DONALD CRIED

Breakthrough Audience Award: DIVINES

Breakthrough Audience Award First Runner-Up: ONE WEEK AND A DAY

Breakthrough Audience Award Second Runner-Up: THE RED TURTLE

Photo by Jose Hermosillo © Festival in LA, 2016

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Copyright © Festival in LA, 2016

A War: An Important Call to Change the Rules of Engagement

By Jose Alberto Hermosillo

Image courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

“A War” is one of the best movies of the year, politically correct, realistic and meaningful.  

The timing of this war-drama couldn’t be any better as an insightful study of the Afghan conflict, its ethics, and politics. 

In the aftermath, "A War" focuses on the soldiers and their families back in the West. 

"A War" is a moral discussion about what is right and wrong in a "modern day" wartime. "A War" is this year’s Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker.” 

On the page, “A War” contains several layers of emotions that connect society with the government, the law with witnesses, the criminals with judges, the terrorists with its victims, and soldiers with their families. 

“A War” evidences an endemic system that faces terrorism in the world and the confrontation with the democratic countries.
 
The action starts when Denmark’s government decides to join the U.S. and other ally countries in the military confrontation with the Taliban.    

With this decision, many questions arise: Where the war is taking place, in a foreign land or back home? Who is the enemy, the rebels or the comrades? Who is guilty, the commander who makes the decisions or the soldiers who execute them?

Image courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Danish Commander Claus M. Pedersen (Pilou Asbaek) stationed in Afghanistan is fighting with the Coalition. In crossfire with the enemy, Claus had to make a decision with enormous repercussions back home.

In Denmark, the Commander’s wife and children have to deal with the absence of their father. They have to cope for themselves, even if they are deeply affected by the war.
 
Claus has to face criminal charges in a civil court for violation of civil and human rights. During the trial, we see who supports him and who betrays him.   

The cross-examination is gripping, intense, well put together, and it raises the tension for the surprising outcome.  

The dialogs used by the defense, witnesses, and judge are credible, realistic and straight forward.
  
One of the greatest assets of this war drama is making the soldiers more human.

Tobias Lindholm, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, copyrights Festival in LA 2015.

A memorable scene comes when Claus and his family walk on the beach observing seagulls, a metaphor for freedom. Director Tobias Lindholm delivers another powerful, intense, and impeccable masterpiece.  

 
“A War” is the second nomination for the best foreign film for Lindholm after his critically acclaimed modern-day pirates' drama “A Hijacking” in 2012.  
  
Now, we will see if his most recent film can earn him the gold statuette at this time.  
     
The well-researched script displays some of the same moral values depicted in the also Danish film “In a Better World,” the 2011 Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film, directed by Susanne Bier. "A War" goes way far beyond of “Zero Dark Thirty.” 

Director Tobias Lindholm, critic Jose Alberto Hermosillo, copyrights Festival in LA 2015.

In a conversation I had with director Tobias Lindholm during the AFI Fest 2015, he gave some advice to the new filmmakers: “Keep it  real, be patient, and go with the flow in the filmmaking process.”   

Director Tobias Lindholm, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, copyrights Festival in LA 2015.

And as a father, he reflects: “In war time, who will tuck your children into bed tomorrow, if you won’t be able to be there for them.” 

The director's own exceptional screenplay presents the actual facts of a war-crime that may not occur in the way it was perceived. 

In the end, the spectator needs to find out if a shadow of the doubt prevails. 

 A WAR TRAILER:

"A War" Trailer

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