Selected Swedish Media Adaptations Available to Stream via Kanopy
The Phantom Carriage (dir. Victor Sjostrom, 1921)
The last person to die on New Year’s Eve before the clock strikes twelve is doomed to take the reins of Death’s chariot and work tirelessly collecting fresh souls for the next year. So says the legend that drives The Phantom Carriage (Körkarlen), directed by the father of Swedish cinema, Victor Sjöström.
The story, based on a novel by Nobel Prize winner Selma Lagerlöf, concerns an alcoholic, abusive ne’er-do-well (Sjöström himself) who is shown the error of his ways, and the pure-of-heart Salvation Army sister who believes in his redemption. This extraordinarily rich and innovative silent classic (which inspired Ingmar Bergman to make movies) is a Dickensian ghost story and a deeply moving morality tale, as well as a showcase for groundbreaking special effects.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
Miss. Julie (dir. Alf Sjöberg, 1951)
Swedish filmmaker Alf Sjöberg’s visually innovative, Cannes Grand Prix-winning adaptation of August Strindberg’s renowned 1888 play brings to scalding life the excoriating words of the stage’s preeminent surveyor of all things rotten in the state of male-female relations. Miss. Julie vividly depicts the battle of the sexes and classes that ensues when a wealthy businessman’s daughter (Anita Björk, in a fiercely emotional performance) falls for her father’s bitter servant. Celebrated for its unique cinematic style (and censored upon its first release in the United States for its adult content), Sjöberg’s film was an important turning point in Scandinavian cinema.
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Summer With Monika (dir. Ingmar Bergman, 1953)
Inspired by the earthy eroticism of Harriet Andersson, in the first of her many roles for him, Ingmar Bergman had a major international breakthrough with this sensual and ultimately ravaging tale of young love.
A girl (Andersson) and boy (Lars Ekborg) from working-class families in Stockholm run away from home to spend a secluded, romantic summer at the beach, far from parents and responsibilities. Inevitably, it is not long before the pair are forced to return to reality. The version initially released in the U.S. was reedited by its distributor into something more salacious, but the original Summer with Monika (Sommaren med Monika), presented here, is a work of stunning maturity and one of Bergman’s most important films.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
Here Is Your Life (dir. Jan Troell, 1966)
This mesmerizing debut by the great Swedish director Jan Troell is an epic bildungsroman and a multilayered representation of early twentieth-century Sweden.
Based on a series of autobiographical novels by Nobel Prize winner Eyvind Johnson, Here Is Your Life follows a working-class boy's development, from naive teenager to intellectually curious young adult, from logger to movie projectionist to politically engaged man of the people—all set against the backdrop of a slowly industrializing rural landscape.
With its mix of modernist visual ingenuity and elegantly structured storytelling, this enchanting film — presented here in its original nearly three-hour cut — is a reminder that Troell is one of European cinema's finest and most sensitive illuminators of the human condition.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
My Life as a Dog (dir. Lasse Hallstrom, 1985)
My Life as a Dog (Mitt liv som hund) tells the story of Ingemar, a twelve-year-old from a working-class family sent to live with his uncle in a country village when his mother falls ill. There, with the help of the warmhearted eccentrics who populate the town, the boy finds both refuge from his misfortunes and unexpected adventure.
Featuring an incredibly mature and unaffected performance by the young Anton Glanzelius, this film is a beloved and bittersweet evocation of the struggles and joys of childhood earning two nominations at the 1988 Academy Awards (Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay).
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Let the Right One In (dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2008)
Lonely, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates. A new friendship develops when Eli, a pale, serious young girl who only comes out at night, moves in next door. Coinciding with her arrival is a series of inexplicable disappearances and murders. As Oskar becomes more aware of Eli's tragic plight, he cannot forsake her. However, Eli knows that to continue living, she must keep relocating. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (dir. Niels Arden Oplev, 2009)
Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her beloved uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family.
He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and the tattooed and troubled but resourceful computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
The 100-Year-Old Man: Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (dir. Felix Herngren, 2013)
Powered by the antics of a mischievous centenarian on the run, comic fable The 100-Year-Old-Man: Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann) abounds with irreverent charm.
After a long and colorful life working in munitions and getting entangled in the Spanish Civil War, the Manhattan Project, and other definitive events of the 20th century, Allan Karlsson finds himself stuck in a nursing home. Determined to escape on his 100th birthday, he leaps out of a window and onto the nearest bus, kicking off an unexpected journey involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some wicked criminals, and an elephant named Sonya.
Like an unruly Nordic cousin of Forrest Gump, Allan’s youthful escapades and current adventures weave together into an offbeat treat for anyone who’s young at heart. Starring beloved comedian Robert Gustafsson, this fanciful spin on world history is based on a best-selling novel and also the highest-grossing Swedish film of all time.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
A Man Called Ove (dir. Hannes Holm, 2015)
Ove, an ill tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife’s grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. Based on the bestselling novel.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
Britt-Maire Was Here (dir. Tuva Novotny, 2019)
After the end of a long marriage, Britt-Marie is starting over at age 63. In the small town of Borg, the only job she can find is quite challenging: to coach the town’s youth soccer team. Based on the bestselling novel by author Fredrik Backman.
UCLA students, staff, and faculty access through Kanopy. Log into the campus VPN or proxy server to view video.
UC Library Search
- The 100-Year-Old Man: Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (dir. Felix Herngren, 2013)
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Powered by the antics of a mischievous centenarian on the run, comic fable The 100-Year-Old Man: Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (Hundraåringen som klev ut genom fönstret och försvann) abounds with irreverent charm. After a long and colorful life working in munitions and getting entangled in the Spanish Civil War, the Manhattan Project, and other definitive events of the 20th century, Allan Karlsson finds himself stuck in a nursing home. Determined to escape on his 100th birthday, he leaps out of a window and onto the nearest bus, kicking off an unexpected journey involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some wicked criminals, and an elephant named Sonya. Like an unruly Nordic cousin of Forrest Gump, Allan’s youthful escapades and current adventures weave together into an offbeat treat for anyone who’s young at heart. Starring beloved comedian Robert Gustafsson, this fanciful spin on world history is based on a best-selling novel and also the highest-grossing Swedish film of all time. - Becoming Astrid: Unga Astrid (dir. Pernille Fischer Christensen, 2018)Teenaged Astrid Lindgren, future author of Pippi Longstocking, leads a carefree life in rural Sweden. Eager to break free from her conservative upbringing, she accepts an internship at a local newspaper where she attracts the attention of its married editor. After Astrid becomes pregnant, she leaves home to give birth to a son, whom she reluctantly leaves with a foster mother. When the foster mother falls ill, Astrid uses her imagination and flair for storytelling to reconnect with her child. Official Selection at the Berlin International Film Festival (Kanopy).
- Britt-Maire Was Here (dir. Tuva Novotny, 2019)
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After the end of a long marriage, Britt-Marie is starting over at age 63. In the small town of Borg, the only job she can find is quite challenging: to coach the town’s youth soccer team. Based on the bestselling novel by author Fredrik Backman. - Fjällbacka Murders (dir. Richard Petrelius, 2013)
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Fjällbacka Murders is based on the world of Camilla Lackberg's character, Erica Falck, a successful crime writer and mother of three. She's moved with her husband and children from the city to her hometown of Fjällbacka, a fishing village on a picturesque island off the coast of Sweden. Her return seems idyllic, but simmering beneath the village's surface lie hidden secrets, twisted desires and deceit waiting to erupt into the ultimate sin—murder. - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (dir. Daniel Alfredson, 2009)
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Lisbeth is recovering in a hospital and awaiting trial for three murders when she is released. Mikael must prove her innocence, but Lisbeth must be willing to share the details of her sordid experiences with the court (IMDB). - The Girl Who Played with Fire (dir. Daniel Alfredson, 2009)
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As computer hacker Lisbeth and journalist Mikael investigate a sex-trafficking ring, Lisbeth is accused of three murders, causing her to go on the run while Mikael works to clear her name (IMDB). - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (dir. David Fincher, 2011)
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Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (IMDB). - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (dir. Niels Arden Oplev, 2009)
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Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her beloved uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and the tattooed and troubled but resourceful computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves (Kanopy). - Gräns (dir. Ali Abbasi, 2019)
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Based on "Gräns," a short story by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Tina is a border guard who has the ability to smell human emotions, and catch smugglers. When she comes across a mysterious man with a smell that confounds her detection, she uncovers a dark secret about her own past. - Here Is Your Life (dir. Jan Troell, 1966)
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Based on a series of autobiographical novels by Nobel Prize winner Eyvind Johnson, Here Is Your Life follows a working-class boy's development, from naive teenager to intellectually curious young adult, from logger to movie projectionist to politically engaged man of the people—all set against the backdrop of a slowly industrializing rural landscape. With its mix of modernist visual ingenuity and elegantly structured storytelling, this enchanting film—presented here in its original nearly three-hour cut—is a reminder that Troell is one of European cinema's finest and most sensitive illuminators of the human condition (Kanopy). - The Laughing Policeman (dir. Stuart Rosenberg, 1968)
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Two San Francisco cops hunt down a deranged killer who shot up a city bus, murdering a number of innocent people. - Let the Right One In (dir. Tomas Alfredson, 2008)
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Lonely, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates. A new friendship develops when Eli, a pale, serious young girl who only comes out at night, moves in next door. Coinciding with her arrival is a series of inexplicable disappearances and murders. As Oskar becomes more aware of Eli's tragic plight, he cannot forsake her. However, Eli knows that to continue living, she must keep relocating. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can. - A Man Called Ove (dir. Hannes Holm, 2015)
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Ove, an ill tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife’s grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors. Based on the bestselling novel. - My Life as a Dog (dir. Lasse Hallstrom, 1985)
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"My Life as a Dog (Mitt liv som hund) tells the story of Ingemar, a twelve-year-old from a working-class family sent to live with his uncle in a country village when his mother falls ill. There, with the help of the warmhearted eccentrics who populate the town, the boy finds both refuge from his misfortunes and unexpected adventure. . . ." (Kanopy) - Pippi Longstocking (dir. Clive A. Smith, 1997)Pippi Longstocking is a care free, incredibly strong girl who lives with her dad and his crew on a boat. When her father is lost at sea, she moves into his villa in a little village to wait for him to return. There she becomes the target of two thieves who are after her treasure and the awful Mrs. Prysselius who thinks she should be sent to an orphanage. She befriends the two kids from next door and creates chaos wherever she goes. She shakes things up in what was once a quiet little town (IMDB).
- Quicksand (dir. Per-Olav Sørensen and Lisa Farzaneh, 2019)Maja, a student in Stockholm, finds herself on trial for murder after a tragedy at her school. More doubts and suspicions arise when new revelations are made (IMDB).
- Summer With Monika (dir. Ingmar Bergman, 1953)
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Inspired by the earthy eroticism of Harriet Andersson, in the first of her many roles for him, Ingmar Bergman had a major international breakthrough with this sensual and ultimately ravaging tale of young love. A girl (Andersson) and boy (Lars Ekborg) from working-class families in Stockholm run away from home to spend a secluded, romantic summer at the beach, far from parents and responsibilities. Inevitably, it is not long before the pair are forced to return to reality. The version initially released in the U.S. was reedited by its distributor into something more salacious, but the original Summer With Monika (Sommaren med Monika), presented here, is a work of stunning maturity and one of Bergman’s most important films. - Wallander (dir. Philip Martin et al., 2016)
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Based on the best-selling novels by Henning Mankell, this award-winning drama stars Kenneth Branagh as Swedish detective Kurt Wallander. Elegantly filmed and brilliantly acted, Wallander follows a flawed but deeply human detective—a man who takes each murder case he works on personally and will stop at nothing in his search for the truth, even at the expense of his health and his family life. - Wallander (dir. Stephan Apelgren et al., 2012)
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Wallander follows the titular chief inspector Kurt Wallander...as he investigates crimes and solves mysteries in the deceptively dark underbelly of picturesque modern Sweden.
