From the top and left: Eagles of the Republic, Being Bo Widerberg and Sentimental Value. Photo: Yigit Eken, Jan Delden / TT and Kasper Tuxen.Tarik Saleh’s Eagles of the Republic will have its world premiere in the main competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, which begins on Tuesday, May 13. The film is in the running for the Palme d’Or, alongside the co-production Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier. Also premiering is Being Bo Widerberg by Jon Asp and Mattias Nohrborg, selected for Cannes Classics. In total, three other Swedish co-productions will be screened in and out of competition, highlighting a strong Swedish presence at the festival.
Eagles of the Republic by Tarik Saleh (Competition)
Egypt's most beloved actor, George Fahmy, is pressured into playing the lead role in a film commissioned by the highest authority. He reluctantly accepts the role and is thrown headfirst into the inner circles of power. Like a moth drawn to a flame, he begins an affair with the mysterious wife of the general overseeing the film.
Tarik Saleh returns to Cannes, once again in the main competition, following the success of Boy from Heaven (2022), which won Best Screenplay at the festival. Eagles of the Republic concludes his acclaimed “Cairo Trilogy,” which began with The Nile Hilton Incident (2017) and continued with the aforementioned Boy from Heaven. The film's international star ensemble is led by the multi-award-winning Fares Fares, and featuring Cherien Dabis, Amr Wake, and Lyna Khoudri. The music is composed by the two-time Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel, 2014, The Imitation Game, 2014 and Shape of Water, 2017 among others).
Eagles of the Republic is written and directed by Tarik Saleh and produced by Linus Stöhr Torell / Unlimited Stories, Linda Mutawi, Johan Lindström / Apparaten, and Alexandre Mallet Guy / Memento Production, in co-production with, among others, SVT and Film i Väst. The film has received funding from the former film commissioner of the Swedish Film Institute, Lena Runge.
International sales are handled by Playtime, French distribution by Memento and SF Studios is distributing Pan-Nordic.
Being Bo Widerberg by Jon Asp and Mattias Nohrborg (Cannes Classics)
Being Bo Widerberg tells the story of the acclaimed and eccentric director who, in the shadow of Ingmar Bergman, became Sweden’s most influential filmmaker. The film depicts Widerberg during the progressive early 1960s, from his beginnings as an aspiring author and a harsh critic in working-class Malmo to his prime as a celebrated film auteur in Stockholm, leading to adventures in Cannes and New York. The film also illustrates the consequences of Bo Widerberg’s career – or rather his passionate pursuit of life – on his colleagues, his family, and himself.
The film will have its world premiere in Cannes Classics, a section dedicated to restored classics and documentaries about cinema, highlighting and celebrating film heritage. Throughout his impressive career, Bo Widerberg had five films in main competition at the festival and was awarded the Jury Special Grand Prix for Ådalen 31 (1969) and the Jury Prize for Joe Hill (1971).
Being Bo Widerberg is directed by Jon Asp and Mattias Nohrborg, with a script by Asp and produced by Nohrborg and B-Reel Films, in co-production with SVT, Film i Skåne and Film Stockholm. The film has received funding from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Anna Weitz. TriArt Film is the Swedish distributor, and Malavida Films handles French distribution.
The film follows Nora (Renate Reinsve) and her sister Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) when their eccentric and charismatic father Gustav suddenly appears after a long absence. Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) was once a renowned film director and now offers Nora the lead role in his new film, but working with her father is the last thing Nora can imagine.
Sentimental Value is a co-production between Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and France, directed by Joachim Trier and co-written with longtime collaborator Eskil Vogt. The duo reunites with Renate Reinsve, who won Best Actress in Cannes for their previous film The Worst Person in the World (2021). Swedish co-producer: Lizette Jonjic / Zentropa Sweden and Film i Väst. The film has received funding from the Swedish Film Institute's film commissioner Theo Tsappos. TriArt Film is the Swedish distributor, Neon the US distributor, with international sales handled by Mk2.
A POET by Simón Mesa Soto (Un Certain Regard)
Oscar Restrepo's obsession with poetry has brought him no glory. Aging and erratic, he has succumbed to the cliché of the poet in the shadows. Meeting Yurlady, a humble teenager, and helping her cultivate her talent brings some light to his days, but dragging her into the world of poets may not be the way.
A Colombian–Swedish co-production written and directed by Simón Mesa Soto, who won the Palme D’or for Best Short film for Leidi (2014) and was nominated for Madre (2016). Swedish co-producers: David Herdies and Michael Krotkiewski / Momento Film and Film i Väst. The film has received funding by Swedish Film Institute’s former film commissioner Ami Ekström. Pan Nordic distribution: TriArt Film.
The Love That Remains by Hlynur Pálmason (Cannes Premiere)
The Love That Remains tenderly captures a year in the life of a family as 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.
The Love That Remains is an Icelandic–Swedish co-production written and directed by Hlynur Pálmason, starring Sverrir Gudnason. Pálmasons latest film, Godland (2022), was selected for Un Certain Regard. Swedish co-producer: Nima Yousefi / HOBAB and Film i Väst. The film has received funding by the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Theo Tsappos. TriArt Film is the Swedish distributor and New Europe Films handles international sales.
The History of Sound by Oliver Hermanus (Competition)
This historical romantic drama follows two young men, played by Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal, who meet in 1916 during World War I. Later, in 1919, they travel through rural New England, recording the voices, stories, and folk music of their fellow Americans as their connection deepens.
The History of Sound is directed by Oliver Hermanus and co-produced by Sean Wheelan / Filmgate Films and Film i Väst.
Additional Swedish highlights at Cannes
Producer on the Move: Eliza Jones
Eliza Jones of Grand Slam Film has been chosen to represent Sweden in this year’s Producers on the Move, held alongside the Cannes Film Festival from May 16–20. Known for her bold and exciting approach, Jones co-founded Grand Slam Film in 2015 with Markus Waltå. They produced Pleasure (Ninja Thyberg, 2021), which stirred controversy and was selected for official competition at Cannes 2020. She is currently working on The Art Patron by Julia Thelin and 7 Steps by Andreas Öhman. Each year, the Swedish Film Institute and European Film Promotion jointly select one producer to take part in the initiative.
Dante by Linda Hambäck (Annecy Animation Showcase)
10 million disappear and the suspect, Helge, is forced to flee and ends up in the dump, where he meets Dante the rat. In the search of the truth, two heads clash, but does friendship have a price? The search goes through trash, gold and dynamite.
On May 18, during the festival’s Animation Day, the Annecy Film Festival and Marché du Film will host the Annecy Animation Showcase, at which Dante is one of five selected animated projects to be showcased in front of potential buyers and distributors. Linda Hambäck, who writes, directs, and produces the film for Lee Film, will be at the festival presenting the project.
Márjá Bål Nango and Espen Larrsson (impACT Lab)
Every year impACT Lab gathers forward-thinking experts to lead workshops focused on fostering international co-productions and a more diverse film industry, as well as guiding emerging producers in creating more meaningful and impactful films. Sámi producers Márjá Bål Nango / 7išh Film and Espen Larrsson / Finnmark Productions are among the ten names selected for this year’s programme, which takes place between May 15–20.
In addition, FLM editor-in-chief Olga Ruin serves on the FIPRESCI jury.
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival takes place 13–24 May, read more. The Swedish Film Institute will host a press conference at the festival on May 17.
The Swedish Film Institute is a collective voice for film in Sweden, and a meeting-place for experiences and insights that elevate film on all levels. We preserve and make available Sweden’s film heritage, work to educate children and young people in film and moving images, support the production, distribution and screening of valuable film, and represent Swedish film internationally. A broad diversity of narratives establishes discussions and insights that strengthen the individual and our democracy. Together, we enable more people to create, experience and be enriched by film.
