The Square Wins at Cannes 2017
The Square, a film described as a social satire set in the art world, and directed by Ruben Östlund, whose previous film, Force Majeure was critically acclaimed as an ‘icily disturbing family drama set in the French Alps’, has won this year’s Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival!
The latest release by the Swedish filmmaker tells the story of a stylish Stockholm art museum, which has to deal with the fallout from a controversial viral video to promote an exhibit called ‘The Square’. The film stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss (of Mad Men fame), Dominic West (from The Wire, The Affair and more) and Terry Notary, and has had very good reviews after its premiere on the first Saturday at Cannes (20 May 2017). The Telegraph commented on its “Slow burn” with “A culminative force that can’t be resisted”, and The Guardian wrote that the film “Sets out to make your jaw drop. And it succeeds.” Both reviews gave The Square four out of five stars.
Below a preview of this, by all accounts, exceptional film. I cannot wait to see The Square in the cinema.
Sporting Drama Borg/McEnroe teaser released
Previously tipped to appear at Cannes, the sporting drama Borg/McEnroe failed to make it in time for the festival. The film is about one of the world’s greatest icons, Björn Borg, and his biggest rival, the young and talented John McEnroe and their legendary duel during the 1980’s Wimbledon tournament. It’s about two men that became legends and the price they had to pay. A teaser has now been released (see below), which certainly whetted my appetite. I remember vividly watching this match and in the end not being able to decide which one of the two great tennis players I wanted to win. I cannot wait to see this picture when it’s eventually in the cinemas.
The Bridge Fourth Season
In Nordic TV news, Sofia Helin has spoken to Swedish media about the fourth and final season of The Bridge. Helin says that she’ll miss the character once the show is over.
‘I’ll miss Saga, but I can not think about it,’ Helin says.
The fourth season, the details of which have been kept secret, sees Saga continue to work alongside the Danish police colleague Henry, played by Thure Lindhardt.
‘Their relationship developed and they are going through a tough time together.’
The last season of The Bridge is about to conclude shooting and will premiere on SVT (Swedish TV) on New Year’s Day. It has already been sold to 180 countries, though no other release dates have been announced.
New Moomins and the Winter Wonderland Film
Swedish actress and Academy Award-winner Alicia Vikander is set to voice two Moomins in the upcoming Moomins motion picture titled Moomins and the Winter Wonderland.
Vikander will voice Little My and Sorry-oo, and Stellan Skarsgård will voice Moominpappa. He’s also the Executive Producer.
Moomins are cartoon characters, created by Finnish writer Tove Jansson, which became popular all around the world after first published by The Standard, the London evening paper. The iconic fairy tale characters — a carefree family of white, roundish creatures that resemble lovable hippopotamuses — are part of children’s culture around the world, thanks to translations of the original books and comic strips, along with television and film adaptations, and even a theme park called Moomin World in Naantali, Finland.
Moomins and the Winter Wonderland will also be the first Moomins film to screen in Chinese cinemas.
Do you watch Nordic film and TV? What do you think of the films at Cannes this year? Comment below and get the conversation going.
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