Swedish docs at DOC NYC & IDFA

 Swedish docs at DOC NYC (November 10 – 18)

^{© RealReel}

International competition – Be My Voice

Journalist and activist Masih Alinejad has over 4.6 million followers on Instagram after urging Iranian women to rebel against the forced hijab on social media. Her call to action has grown into one of the largest acts of civil disobedience in today’s Iran. Something that has made the regime desperately tighten its grip to regain control over the people.

Directed by Nahid Persson
Produced by RealReel/Setareh Lundgren, Nahid Persson, with support from the Swedish Film Institute/Juan Pablo Libossart
Sales Autlook Filmsales

^{© Rena Effendi}

Winner’s Circle – Children of the Enemy

Children of the Enemy is the story of bohemian musician Patricio whose daughter married one of Europe’s most notorious ISIS terrorists. They left for Syria in 2014 and, as the Caliphate crumbles five years later, both get killed. Their seven small children survive and are placed in the monstrous refugee camp Al-Hol. When the Swedish authorities neglect to act on behalf of the children, grandfather Patricio is forced to take it upon himself to try to get them out.

Directed by Gorki Glaser-Müller
Produced by Cinenic Film/Kristofer Henell, Erika Malmgren, with support from the Swedish Film Institute/ Klara Grunning
Sales Cinephil

^{© Knutte Wester}

Shorts Programs – You Can’t Show My Face

Iranian hip hop artists collect sounds from different neighborhoods to create rhythm, music, and lyrics, all while hiding from the authorities that want to shut them down. 

Directed by Knutte Wester  
Produced by Iris Film AB/Andreas Emanuelsson, Felica Bergh, Tony Österholm, with support from the Swedish Film Institute

Swedish docs at IDFA (November 17 – 28)

^{© House of Real}

Competition for Youth Documentary - Gabi Between Ages 8 and 13

Gabi just wants to be Gabi. But this is not as easy as it sounds. Debut filmmaker Engeli Broberg has followed Gabi during the five formative years between the ages of 8 and 13, as she transforms herself even more than most children. Even as a young child, she does not believe that there is a difference between boys and girls, and as the years go by, she feels less and less at home in the two genders on offer.

Directed by Engeli Broberg
Produced by House of Real/Anna J Ljungmark, Jakob Eklund, with support from the Swedish Film Institute/Klara Grunning
Sales House of Real

^{© William Long, Nina Hedenius} 

Masters – Song to Bergslagen

Bergslagen can’t be found on any map and yet it stretches over vast areas of centralSweden. The iron-ore below has always determined its borders. Swedish kings traded this iron to fuel and fire their wars far away in Europe and in exchange, they always left these Bergs-men alone. Bergslagen simply means, ‘the law of the mountains. In this film the passage of the seasons forms a framework for views of the past, present, and future of this densely forested area. Subtle changes are now occurring since many of the mines have closed down, but the traditions of yesteryear still remain.

Directed by Nina Hedenius  
Produced by William Long, with support from the Swedish Film Institute/Juan Pablo Libossart
Sales SVT Sales, William Long