Hollywood is gearing up for the Oscars, and so can you!
Do you enjoy international movies? Each of the five Nordic countries submitted a film for Best International Feature consideration. Three of them – Norway’s Armand, Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle, and Iceland’s Touch – made it to the shortlist of 15 (announced 12/17/24, see full shortlist here). The Girl with the Needle went on to become one of the five official nominees, along with films from Brazil, Germany, France, and Latvia (announced 1/23/25, see list of all nominees here). Watch the awards ceremony on Sunday, March 2, to see how Denmark’s film fares!
In the meantime, you might be interested in learning more about these Nordic submissions and finding out where you can view them ahead of the awards ceremony. As I shared in my most recent post of monthly Nordic events, the Scandinavian Film Festival LA is taking a hiatus this year. This event has always been a yearly highlight for me. Not only have I enjoyed reuniting with a core group of volunteers who have been there every year, but I’ve also often had a chance to view Oscar submissions from the Nordic countries. Luckily, despite the off-year for the festival, there are opportunities to see most of them, either via streaming or in a theater and sometimes both.
🇳🇴 Norway – Armand
Directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
When Elisabeth (Renate Reinsve, The Worst Person in the World) is called to a parent-teacher conference regarding her 6-year-old son after hours, she is presented with scathing allegations that trigger a tangled web of accusations between parents and faculty (trailer).
How to watch: A limited theatrical release began February 7 and will be followed by a wide theatrical release on February 14. Check Fandango for theaters near you. Streaming options are unavailable at this time.
🇩🇰 Denmark – The Girl with the Needle (“Pigen med nålen”)
Directed by Magnus von Horn
Struggling to survive in post-WWI Copenhagen, a newly unemployed and pregnant young woman is taken in by a charismatic elder to help run an underground adoption agency. The two form an unexpected bond, until a sudden discovery changes everything (trailer).
How to watch: At home via Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy) or Mubi or Fandango at Home or possibly at a theater near you.
🇮🇸 Iceland – Touch (“Snerting”)
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur
A romantic and thrilling story that spans several decades and continents, Touch follows one man’s emotional journey to find his first love who disappeared 50 years ago, before his time runs out (trailer).
How to watch: At home via Amazon Prime Video (free with Prime) or Apple TV or Fandango at Home.
🇸🇪 Sweden – The Last Journey (“Den Sista Resan”)
Directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson
In a desperate attempt to make his old, depressed father embrace life again, filmmaker Filip Hammar takes his dad on a surprise road trip to France – the same journey they made every summer during Filip’s childhood (trailer).
How to watch: Streaming options are not available at this time.
🇫🇮 Finland – Family Time (“Mummola”)
Directed by Tia Kouvo
An annual family Christmas get-together that sees the usual tensions rise (trailer).
How to watch: Streaming options are not available at this time.
Other Nominees for Best International Feature Film
In addition to Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle, the other nominees are Brazil’s I’m Still Here, France’s Emilia Pérez, Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Latvia’s Flow. Visit JustWatch to find out how to view them.
Are you a fan of international films? Which of the nominees do you think will win?