Inaugural Scandinavian Film Festival launches in Davao

The Embassies of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, in partnership with fhe Film Development Council of the Philippines and SM Lanang Premier, SM Cinema, present the first Scandinavian Film Festival launching in Davao this April 28 - May 3, 2019.

Faturing 23 contemporary feature length films and a handful of documentaries and short films from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Mindanao community, the Scandinavian Film Festival gives Filipinos (especially Davaoeños) a glimpse of Scandinavian culture and way of life.

The feature films will be screened at SM Lanang Premier on April 28-May 3, 2019 while documentaries, children's short films, films from the Mindanao Film Community, and other activities will be screened at the Cinematheque Centre Davao from April 29-May 3, 2019.

Leading the film selection is Rosita from Denmark. This film, directed by Frederikke Aspöck, stars Filipina actress Mercedes Cabral in the title role. Rosita, a mail order bride from the Philippines, causes tension between father and son who both fall in love with her.

The box office hit The Wave/Bølgen is the main offering from Norway. This disaster film, directed by Roar Uthaug, has won Amanda Awards for Best Norwegian Film in Theatrical Release, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Design.

Finally, Sweden offers the documentary The Girl Who Saved My Life/Flickan som räddade mitt liv. In it, filmmaker Hogir Hirori, leaves his pregnant wife in Sweden and returns to Iraq to film refugees fleeing ISIS, while trying to find a young girl whom he believes saved his life.

These films are just three of the over 30 films (feature length, documentaries, and shorts) offered in the first ever Scandinavian Film Festival. Admission to all the films is free on a first come, first serve basis.

Here is the schedule for the SM Lanang Premiere screenings.

April 28, 2019

1:00 PM The Wave (Norway)

3:00 PM Martha & Nikki (Sweden)

6:00 PM Rosita (Denmark)

April 29, 2019

1:00 PM A Holy Mess (Sweden)

3:00 PM I Am William (Denmark)

5:00 PM Tsatsiki, D&TOW (Sweden)

7:00 PM Kiss Me YFM (Norway)

April 30, 2019

1:00 PM Warmer (Norway)

3:00 PM Pioneer (Norway)

5:00 PM Winter Brothers (Denmark)

7:00 PM Drifters (Sweden)

May 1, 2019

1:00 PM Reflections (Sweden)

3:00 PM The Girl TMTD (Sweden)

5:00 PM Darling (Denmark)

7:00 PM Victoria (Norway)

May 2, 2019

1:00 PM A Family (Denmark)

3:00 PM Siv Sleeps Over (Sweden)

5:00 PM A Serious Game (Sweden)

7:00 PM A Second Chance (Denmark)

May 3, 2019

1:00 PM The Optimists (Norway)

3:00 PM The Commune (Denmark)

5:00 PM White People (Sweden)

7:00 PM Kon Tiki (Norway)

Here is the schedule of the screenings and activities at Cinematheque Centre Davao.

April 29, 2019

Opening Reception: Contemporary Films from Mindanao and Scandinavia 

April 30, 2019

Documenting Conflict: Documentary Workshop with Sheron Dayoc

May 1, 2019

Short Films from Mindanao and Scandinavia

May 2 -3, 2019

Documentary Films from Mindanao and Scandinavia