When the Nordic Film Festival gets going on the weekend from 27 to 29 September 2019 at Quatier CineArt in Bangkok, the focus will be on sustainability and climate change.
“The Nordic countries aim to become carbon neutral and we want to send a strong message of commitment,” said Satu Suikkari-Kleven, the Finnish ambassador in Thailand, at a press conference where also Danish ambassador Uffe Wolffhechel, Norwegian ambassador Kjersti Rødsmoen and Swedish ambassador Staffan Herrström were present.
Already, at the kickstart of the festival, the topic is apparent, when attendees can enjoy the Finnish film ‘My Stuff’. It is a documentary about a man who locks up all of his stuff in a storage unit and is only allowed to bring back one item per day. This includes clothes as well, so one can imagine why the movie also classifies as a comedy.
Prior to every screening viewers also get to watch the five-minute Norwegian short film called ‘A future you don’t want’. A thought provoking tribute to combatting climate change starring amongst other Thomas Hayes, who is known for his role as William Magnusson in the teen series Skam.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy a wide variety of film genres from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
There are films in the more serious genre such as the Danish film ‘Darling’ and Norwegian ‘What will people say’ as well as family friendly films here amongst Norwegian ‘The Liverpool Goalie’ and Swedish ‘Monky’ which also has ties to Thailand.
“They are all for adults and some are for children,” said Satu Suikkari-Kleven.
The ambassadors of the respective countries presented the films and the common topic of climate change which is apparent in some of the films.
The Swedish ambassador further commented, that gender equality has played a role in choosing the films for the past three years of the Nordic Film Festival. All years, the embassy has exclusively chosen films directed by women.
“It reflects the universe of film making. We want to send a signal of the importance of gender equality,” said Staffan Herrström at the press conference.
The festival is organised by the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish embassies in Thailand. The aim is to promote the Nordics by increasing the interest in the region as creative and innovative.
There will be a total of eight films. Tickets are free and given by a first comes first serve basis, starting half an hour before each screening.
The films will be shown according to the following timetable:
Friday 27 September 2019
18:00 – My Stuff, Finland
20:00 – Darling, Denmark
Saturday 28 September 2018
15:00 – I am William, Denmark
17:00 – Monky, Sweden
19:00 – What will people say, Norway
Sunday 29 September 2019
15:00 – The Liverpool Goalie, Norway
17:00 – One Last Deal, Finland
19:30 – Becoming Astrid, Sweden
