Festival Schedule
Fri., Jan. 31, 6 p.m. Take Four Opening Gala buffet and reception. Advance reservation required before Thurs., Jan. 30.
Fri., Jan. 31, 8:30 p.m. THE MAN WITHOUT A PAST (Mies Vailla Menneissyytta),* Finland/Germany/France 2003, 97 min. Aki Kaurismäki. A man travels to Helsinki in search of work, gets mugged, loses his memory, and has to start anew. He finds love, and is forced to discover values with which he will not be ashamed to live. A small story about people who still know how to be gentle, yet an enormous cinematic experience. Kaurismaki gives humanity, humor and endless resilience to a precious cast of characters in this finely balanced, respectful and playful ode to people who live in dignity with their fellow travelers. Courtesy Sony Classics. Advance reservation required before Thurs., Jan. 30. Screening followed by champagne dessert table and ASFLA reception.
Before the Fri. screening, ASFLA presents Danish-born entertainment journalist Sven Rye with its Scandinavian of Year Award, given annually to a member of the local Scandinavian-American community in recognition of meritorious and exemplary service that furthers American and Scandinavian relations.
Sat., Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m. FAMILY, Denmark/documentary 2001, 90 min. Sami Saif, Phie Ambo. The directors, who also are partners, take a journey in pursuit of Sami's father, who abandoned his Danish family when Sami was young. Before this project started, Sami's brother committed suicide, then his mother died, leaving Sami alone and grief-stricken. A personal and compelling drama filled with humor and strong emotions.
Sat., Feb. 1, 11 a.m. THE LOST LITTLE CATERPILLAR (Litla Ljóta Lirfan),+ Iceland/animated 2002, 26 min. Gunnar Karlsson. Once upon a time not so long ago, a little adventure took place on a tiny leaf on a tiny little tree. On this tiny leaf was a small and fragile caterpillar that was, on this very day, opening its eyes for the first time. The animated adventure of a spellbound caterpillar princess (lobby/gratis).
Sat., Feb. 1, 12 noon THE SEA (Hafi),* Iceland/France/Norway 2002, 109 min. Baltasar Kormákur. A family drama set in a remote Icelandic fishing village. The whole existence of the village is based on local fisheries. New economic realities, however, slowly erode that foundation. Aging owners of small fishing boats sell their quotas to larger companies in other parts of the country, reducing the amount of work offered by local processing plants. As a result, the community suffers. A dark family saga with mordant humor, an accomplished cast inhabits the roles of "first family" in a small fishing community on the verge of change. Courtesy Palm Pictures.
Sat., Feb. 1, 2:15 p.m. BROTHER OF MINE (Bror Min),+ Sweden/short subject 2002, 10 min. Jens Jonsson. An uncomfortable film about a teenager whose anger at his divorced parents is savagely vented on his younger brother (gratis).
Sat., Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m. LILYA 4-EVER,* Sweden 2002, 109 min. Lukas Moodysson. One of the most heart-rending films to come out of Sweden in years. Set in contemporary Russia, the film recounts 13-year-old Lilya's struggle to survive the grim Moscow streets. Devastating and completely convincing, the director oscillates between letting us gaze through Lilya's childlike naivete, and confronts the startlingly brutal and unvarnished use the world makes of her in this grim, courageous look at childhood. Courtesy Newmarket Films.
Sat., Feb. 1, 5 p.m. BAD BOYS (Pahat Pojat), Finland 2003, 120 min. Aleksi Mäkelä. A true story of four Finnish brothers who defended themselves against their violently disturbed father, and who gained national attention for their skill at tearing apart gas pumps when they needed cash.
Sat., Feb. 1, 7 p.m. THIS CHARMING MAN (Der Er En Yndig Mand),+ Denmark/short subject 2002, 31 min. Martin Strange-Hansen. After years on the dole, 35 year-old Lars Hansen gets sent to retrain. At the job center, his file gets mixed up with that of Pakistani El Hassan. When Lars tries to recover his identity he discovers that Ida, with whom he had a youthful affair, teaches Danish as a second language and can't begin until the Pakistani man arrives. Disguised as El Hassan, Lars wins Ida's heart. The truth comes out, however, and Lars must move heaven and earth to regain his lost love (gratis).
Sat., Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. OPEN HEARTS (Elsker Dig For Evigt),* Denmark 2002, 113 min. (Dogma) Susanne Bier. In this poignant and thoughtful film, the director explores with dramatic depth the emotional dynamics when tragedy strikes, aided by an accomplished cast and the Dogma rules. Courtesy Newmarket Films.
Sun., Feb. 2, 12 noon FAMILY, Denmark/documentary 2001, 90 min. Sami Saif, Phie Ambo. The directors, who also are partners, take a journey in pursuit of Sami's father, who abandoned his Danish family when Sami was young. Before this project started, Sami's beloved brother committed suicide, then his mother died, leaving Sami alone and grief-stricken. A personal and compelling drama filled with humor and strong emotions.
Sun., Feb. 2, 1:30 p.m. I AM DINA (Jeg Er Dina), Denmark/Norway 2002, 125 min. Ole Bornedal. A tale of little Dina who is the unwitting cause of her mother's tragic death, for which her grief-stricken father will never forgive her. Neglected and deprived of love, the wild child grows to womanhood torn between her morbid fantasies and an indomitable lust for life. Rebuffing every attempt to break her will, she finally meets a challenge worthy of her dark powers that takes her into the land of the living.
Sun., Feb. 2, 3 p.m. TAK FOR ALT (Thanks for Everything),+ USA/documentary 1999, 61 min. Laura Bialis, Broderick Fox, Sarah Levy. Tells the story of educator Judy Meisel, a Holocaust survivor whose experiences during and after World War II inspired a lifelong campaign against bigotry, intolerance and racism. The film follows her back to Eastern Europe, and retraces her steps through the Kovno ghetto, the Stutthof Concentration Camp, and her liberation and recuperation in Denmark. Ultimately Judy's path led to the U.S. where, after witnessing race riots in 1963, she discovered that only unflinching vigilance against racism can safeguard the liberty of all people. Courtesy Sirena Films (lobby/gratis).
Sun., Feb. 2, 4:15 p.m. HIDDEN (Gömd),+ Sweden/animated 2002, 8 min. Hanna Heilborn, David Aronowitsch, Mats Johansson. Twelve-year-old Giancarlo has hidden in Sweden for two years since fleeing the streets of his homeland Peru. Afraid of deportation, he cannot make friends at school. He tells his story in a poignant, short, animated documentary (gratis).
Sun., Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m. SUXXESS, Sweden 2002, 104 min. Peter Schildt. A funny and slightly surreal trip through madcap corporate capers for anyone with a job and a boss. At the dotcom company Omniville, new management turns a friendly office into a competitive nightmare. Nobody dare object except the popular Daniel, who's expected to become the next CEO. Everyone hopes Daniel gets the appointment, but it instead goes to the cold-blooded Robert. Shortly, however, Robert dies from an apparent accident, and Daniel receives Robert's job. Everyone is delighted, until the sweet taste of power turns Daniel into something worse than his predecessor...
Sun., Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. ALL ABOUT MY FATHER (Alt Om Min Far), Norway/documentary 2001, 75 min. Even Benestad. An award-winning personal documentary about a well-respected, small-town transvestite physician, directed by the one person most likely to convey his story with warmth, humor and irony: his son.
Sun., Feb. 2, 8 p.m. HOLD MY HEART (Tyven Tyven),* Norway 2002, 92 min. Tryggve Diesen. A refreshingly unpreachy and cinematic road movie about a divorced father who kidnaps his daughter, distinguished by two exquisite lead performances. What begins as a despairing escape abroad becomes a peculiar domestic holiday. While the world around them narrows, father and daughter rekindle a relationship they thought was lost. A film about a man who tries to remedy injustice -- a love story, which shows things can turn out well despite terrible beginnings. Diesen (pictured right) was recipient of an ASFLA scholarship while attending USC film school. Screening followed by ASFLA closing party, with music by Norwegian singer Caroline Waters.
Sat., Feb. 1, and Sun., Feb. 2 -- Nordic Café, open all day for networking and noshing.
"Take Four," the fourth annual Nordic film extravaganza sponsored by not-for-profit ASFLA, took place Fri., Jan. 31, through Sun., Feb. 2, 2003, at the Writers Guild of America Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills, Calif. It was the third sequel to the successful LA showcase of Scandinavian films and filmmakers launched in 2000. Each year, the festival pivots around the Scandinavian films submitted to the Academy Awards® for consideration as nominees in the Best Foreign-Film category, with additional screenings of short subjects and documentaries. Non-competitive in nature, the festival gives LA audiences a chance to see the best in Nordic filmmaking, as well as provides a fertile ground for networking.
On Fri., Jan. 31, you're invited to the Take Four Opening Gala screening. The Take Four Opening Gala includes a reception, buffet and no-host bar at 6 p.m. with screening at 8:30 p.m., followed by a champagne dessert table. Advance reservation is required before Thurs., Jan. 30.