'Nordic Exposure'
Tomas Eskilsson, CEO, Film i Väst

Scandinavia encompasses some of the most successful and innovative national cinemas. In particular, Denmark attracts a significant share of its local box office, and Scandinavian ( Denmark, Sweden and Norway ) films play to increasing global audiences and international acclaim.  It was Robin Laing’s job to get Sweden ’s Tomas Eskilsson (who has worked with such Nordic directing luminaries as Lars von Trier (Dogville, Breaking the Waves), Thomas Vinterberg (It’s All About Love, The Celebration) and Lukas Moodysson (Lilya 4-ever, A Hole in my Heart, Together) to discuss some of the reasons for the success of the Scandinavian film industry.

Tomas related the success back to the conception of the Dogma95 rules.  Not that all Nordic films had to follow these rules, more that the Scandinavian industry made a conscious decision to concentrate on stories that were culturally specific and steered clear of copying the Hollywood model. 

Interestingly enough, when they did try to make films for an English speaking audience they failed.  Part of what attracts foreign audiences is the exotic nature of the work.  A comment that Bingham Ray later echoed in his interview with Lindsay Shelton.  Scandinavian stories in the English language don’t ring true.

For Tomas the key to success has been the development of strong long-term relationships with writers and directors. There has been a key focus on career building. Which has created a wealth of depth and talent and as a consequence great cinema. 

Of course, this approach had been made possible by the large amount of “soft” money available to Scandinavian producers. Nordic countries can have as much as NZ$45 million a year towards film production.  Quite incredible, when you consider these countries are similar in population and size to New Zealand .

Back to Highlights and Overviews