#Cannes2025 Wishlist: The Nordics

By now, the end of March, there are too many rumors about films that could be in this year edition of the most famous film festival in the world with quite a few adventuring to predict film by sections. My summary for all the buzz and fuzz is that not-so-soon-enough there will be a full cournocopia of great films for enjoyment of those that truly like good cinema as seems there are films by outstanding established directors as well from those who debut with a lot of noise and expectations.

As promised will do a more in-depth list with directors and their films I find interesting and hope will fulfill its promise when finally I'm able to watch them. This time will go into regions and will start with a region that is producing the most fascinating, engaging and visually astounding long-form films, otherwise called TV series (lol), the Nordics.

The Nordics

Hlynur Pálmason - Iceland
Ástin sem eftir er (The Love That Remains), Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, France

Pálmason feature film debut is in Locarno 2017 with Winter Brothers where won 3 awards. I discovered him with his outstanding second film A White, White Day that opened in Cannes 2019 Semaine de la Critique and since then been following his career. Even do I was well aware of his developing filmmaking style, was not really prepared to see his third opus that absolutely blew all my senses and mind with the story, the cinematography, the performances, the editing (!), a truly cinematic sensorial experience for me. I'm talking about Godland that opened in Cannes 2022 Un Certain Regard.

After Godland is quite hard to imagine where will he go but now there is a chance that his fourth film The Love That Remains could open in Cannes, even when some sources claim is still in production; but, no matter if it makes it to Cannes or goes to Venice, it's a film that is must-be-seen for me. New Europe commenced sales in Berlinale's European Film Market and clips were also presented in Göteborg Nordic Film Market, so film is in full sales promotion which means that film has high chances to go to Cannes. Where? If is accepted in Cannes my best guess is that could go to UCR again but hope film has the qualifications to get into the main competition.

Check film summary by sales company New Europe:
The film tenderly captures a year in the life of a family as the parents navigate their separation. Through both playful and heartfelt moments, the film portrays the bittersweet essence of faded love and shared memories amidst the changing seasons.

Film still suggest a color palette with warm colors which could be a first for him and consequently is new for me that admire so much his blueish/grayish/cold palettes. Then he is credited as the Cinematographer which is also new as his three previous films the cinematographer was Maria von Hausswolff, spontaneously makes me a bit worry as he changed one of the most interesting production values of his previous films.



Joachim Trier - Norway
Sentimental Value, Norway, France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden

Trier is one of my favorite contemporary directors and have been watching his outstanding films since his debut feature film 2006 Reprise that I called cerebral in my review, followed by 2011 Oslo, August 31st and 2015 Louder Than Bombs. Then in 2017 he did outstanding Thelma, followed by 2018 documentary The Other Munch and glory to the filmmaker was achieved with The Worst Person in the World.

Trier was born in Denmark but grew in Norway, did several videos of him as he was a skateboarding champion but his feature film debut is Reprise that opened at 2005 Karlovy Vary where Trier won Best Director and Don Quijote Award. His second feature Oslo, August 31st opens in 2011 Cannes Un Certain Regard and is part of the so-called Oslo Trilogy formed with Reprise and 2021 The Worst Person in the World.

In 2015 he does his first English (and French) film, Louder Than Bombs that opened in 2015 Cannes In Competition for the Palme d'Or with a cast that included Isabelle Huppert but film was not well received by audiences, including me. Sigh.

So thankfully he goes back to the Nordic territories and do fantastic Thelma that know is not for wider audiences, but I enjoyed very much and every time I watch it (have seen it several times, lol), find something new. But then comes to what is up-to-date his best work of all, The Worst Person in the World that opens in 2021 Cannes In Competition and where Renate Reinsve won Best Actress. The fabulous movie collected worldwide 44 wins and 115 nominations, including 2 Oscar nominations.

Now he has a new movie that many predict could be again in Cannes and in competition for the Palme d'Or, Sentimental Value with a strong cast of actors that include Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning. As far as I could tell film is NOT in English (great) is in Norwegian; but then is hard to imagine Elle Fanning speaking that language (lol). Let's hope is more Scandi cinema than mainstream whatever. Still, of course is must-be-watch for me as I watch "everything" by Trier.

Film synopsis reads as follows:
Follows actress Nora and her sister Agnes as they mourn the loss of their mother while their father Gustav makes a long-awaited return to their life. A once-famous director, Gustav has prepared a script for a comeback picture and offered his daughter Nora the lead role, but she vehemently declines. Gustav meets a devoted Hollywood actress while on a career retrospective in France and offers her the role that was meant for Nora. When the movie begins filming in his native Norway, Gustav seizes the chance to mend his relationship with Nora and her sister.

Since 2024 Neon picked up North America rights, while MK2 is handling international sales and it's a fact that film will be in Cannes film market where MK2 will be selling the film. The question is: will be in Cannes Film Festival? Will be In Competition for the Palme d'Or? I do not know and feel not like guessing but Trier plus Renate Reinsve (very-much in-demand actress) are a fantastic match made-in-heaven and a sure bet for niche audiences as could become a commercial success like The Worst Person in the World did. So there are high expectations for this film, lets just hope is NOT in English!!! (lol).



The Five Nordics is an umbrella cooperation between the Finnish Film Foundation, the Icelandic Film Centre and the Norwegian, Swedish and Danish Film Institutes, which have all collaborated for decades under the name Scandinavian Films.