Tommymer (Tommy)

Continuing on the theme of Northern European crime dramas, Tommy focuses on the aftermath of a big heist.  Things didn't go well, Rikard's dead, and Tommy and his wife and daughter fled with the money - or so everyone thinks.  A year later, Tommy's wife Estelle returns to Sweden, daughter in tow, looking for the cash on Tommy's orders.  Everyone is plenty afraid of him, but of her?  What happens when they stop believing Tommy will return?

Tommymer (Tommy)

2014, 95 minutes, directed by Tarik Saleh

LFO

As with several other late-FF-2013 reviews, my original notes were lost and I'm writing this almost a year later.  I keep a film blog to help me remember the movies I've seen, and unfortunately without my notes I struggle for details.

I seem to recall liking this film.  Robert escapes life in his basement, experimenting with sound.  When he finds a frequency that gives him complete control over those who hear it, hilarity ensues as he lives out his fantasies, until he realizes just how far he can go.

LFO
2013,  94 minutes, directed by Antonio Tublen

TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away from Keyboard

This "slice of life" documentary (no narration, no post-interviews, just film and a few on-screen comments and glossary) covers Peter, Fredrik, and Gottfrid, the founders of The Pirate Bay, from their 2009 trial in Sweden through the loss of their finals appeals in 2012. Told almost entirely from their perspective, it presents one view (the correct view) on the legality of the case against them. If you've ever been interested in TPB from a legal or political perspective, I encourage you to check this out.

And yes, in accordance with the wishes of the filmmakers, feel free to find, download, and share the film online.

TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away from Keyboard
2013, 82 minutes, directed by Simon Klose

Flimmer (Flicker)

The hapless employees of a remote Swedish electric and communication company try to live their lives amidst the local 4G roll out and a band of anti-EM terrorists.  I think it has a very subtle, very northern sense of humor, meaning most people won't find it funny at all.

Flimmer (Flicker)
2012, 100 minutes, directed by Patrik Eklund

Metropia

This film is an existential journey across dystopian Europe crafted with intriguing photo-animation. I loved the feel of the destitute world, and the resignation of most inhabitants to their fate. This was a fantastic film and I'm happy to have the privilege to see it on a theater screen.

Metropia
2009, 86 minutes, directed by Tarik Saleh

Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In)

This was the film I regretted most missing at this year's Fantastic Fest. Everyone I spoke to who saw it called it the best film of the festival, an opinion that was ratified by its receipt of the audience award. Since then, the film has continued to win accolades, most recently inclusion on the Austin Film Society's top-ten list for 2008.

With a limited release including Austin, it's time to soak this in. For all the cold, darkness, and stillness, both in the brilliantly-frigid cinematography and in the souls of the characters, the film is filled with a warmth of devotion. This film starts with a slow build, and never really ramps up the pace, but it doesn't need to; it go just far enough and gets there is just the right time. I have to give credit to the author/screenwriter, director, and editors for such wonderful pacing.

If you have a chance to see this film, please, let it in.

Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In)
2008, 114 minutes, directed by Tomas Alfredson