HAPPY END
“We follow individuals that are of most importance to each other, but they are not honest to each other.” - Björn Runge, director
Preceded by Daybreak (which won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale) and Mouth To Mouth, the final film in Börn Runge's ‘liberation' trilogy follows five very different people trying to free themselves from destructive behaviour. A grown-up fairytale, it trades in falsities, shadows and sexual manipulation.
Having started his film career working with Roy Andersson (Songs From the Second Floor, MIFF 00), Runge's grounding in theatre shines as he lets the dialogue expose the characters through their lies and half-truths. In a film so focused on human interaction, the ensemble cast carries the film - Gustaf Skarsgård, in particular, lives up to his family name - yet due care is taken in all other aspects of filmcraft, as recognised at the San Sebastian Film Festival where it picked up the gong for Best Cinematography, and at the Swedish Film Awards, which awarded Best Actress to Ann Petrén.
D Björn Runge P Madeleine Ekman, Martin Persson S Kim Fupz Aakeson WS TrustNordisk L Swedish w/English subtitles TD 35mm/2011