Without even leaving Sydney, take a journey to Northern Europe’s Nordic snow and icescapes via an anthology of films that range from the utterly macabre to the joyously uplifting. Showcasing films from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, the Inaugural Nordic Film Festival, now playing at Dendy Circular Quay, provides insight into shared Nordic values and promises sheltered Sydneysiders cinema of an entirely different ilk. Given the Festival’s eclectic suite of films, it is bound to appeal to filmgoers of all persuasions, variously offering up Europop-styled romanticism, dark depictions of Christianity and paganism, historical thrills, underdog inspiration, coming-of-age pangs and Coen Brother-esque black comedy. The films include Sauna (Finland), Max Manus (Norway), Flame and Citron (Denmark), Terribly Happy (Denmark), Everlasting Moments (Sweden), Once in a Lifetime (Sweden), The Man Who Loved Yngve (Norway), and The Home of Dark Butterflies (Finland).
Until Oct 20, Dendy Opera Quays, $13-16, 9247 3800 or nordicfilmfestival.org.au
BY JAMES HARKNESS
