The Scandinavian Film Festival returns to Palace, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas across July and August.

Highlights of the line-up include writer/director Hlynur Pálmason’s historical drama Godland, the follow-up to his breakout hit A White, White Day. The story follows a Danish priest (Elliot Crosset Hove) who goes on a pilgrimage across a largely unexplored Iceland in the late 1800s.

There is also Ole Giæver’s Let the River Flow, a real-life inspired portrayal of the indigenous Sámi peoples’ struggle for survival. Set in 1970s Norway, the film follows a young woman’s personal journey to reclaim her Sámi identity. When she suddenly finds herself in the middle of demonstrations against a big dam development in Alta, a personal journey out of the shame she has carried begins.

From Denmark comes Paprika Steen’s Fathers & Mothers (Fædre & mødre), a humorous portrait of the challenges of being parents to school-aged children. Featuring an all-star ensemble cast, the comedy follows a couple who must navigate hierarchy, rivalry and hidden agendas at their daughter’s new school.

Lovers of Nordic noir will be able to enjoy Johan Storm’s Shadow Island, in which an aspiring meteorologist travels to a deserted island in the Barents Sea in search of the truth about his father’s passing, while Selma Vilhunen’s Four Little Adults combines drama and lighter moments in a modern love story about a middle-aged couple on the verge of a breakup who decide to open their relationship and enter the complex world of polyamory.

The 2023 Scandinavian Film Festival will take place from July 13 to August 9. The full programme will be announced on June 22 when tickets go on sale.

Listing details:
Melbourne: July 13– August 2 at Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre (selected sessions)
Sydney: July 18 – August 9 at Palace Norton, Palace Central, and Chauvel Cinema
Canberra: July 19 – August 9 at Palace Electric
Adelaide: July 19 – August 9 at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Brisbane: July 19 – August 9 at Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Perth: July 20 – August 9 at Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square
Byron Bay: July 20 – August 9 at Palace Byron Bay