The last decade has seen a surge in short films that take a clear political stance in ways that until recently (and especially in the 'ironic' 90s) would have been seen as out of place. In contrast to the 'old' political film of the 70s, where ideology and class affiliation were central, the 'new' political film takes as its starting point an individual position - the personal.
As in the rest of society, identity politics has also gained traction in film, with an emphasis on stories about ethnisity, gender, sexuality, culture and other aspects of identity, often from marginalized perspectives. The movement gained momentum in the 2010s, driven by social movements such as #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, combined with access to new digital platforms that democratized the media and public diversity initiatives. The films often challenge stereotypes, amplify underrepresented voices and use personal storytelling to convey complex social issues.
The wave has diversified the short film as a medium, encouraged activism and sparked dialogue around representation and social justice. However, it has also faced criticism, including for being merely symbolic, polarizing, and an overemphasis on trauma. Despite such challenges, identity-focused short films have nevertheless reshaped the landscape, offering authentic and meaningful perspectives that we did not have before. Through their global reach and powerful stories, these films emphasize how the personal can reflect larger social struggles and drive cultural change.
From a Norwegian perspective, none in the Nordics is better at this than our good neighbours in Sweden. It is therefore reasonable that the theme is illustrated by a bunch of great films originating from there.
Curated by Jing Haase. Introduction by Per Fikse.
Prints: SFI - Josefina Mothander, e: josefina.mothander@sfi.se
Categories: Ani = Animation, Doc = Documentary, Exp = Experimental, Fic = Fiction, Mus = Music
DEN NYE POLITISKE FILMEN | THE NEW POLITICAL FILM (Total: 86 min.)
Cine | FRE - FRI 16:00
SWE 2020 | Fic. | 13 min.
Director: Emil Brulin, Hampus Hallberg
MAGNUS IS A SEXIST (Magnus är sexist)
Johan er nyutnevnt leder for likestillingsgruppen ved teatret. På sitt første møte med skuespillerensemblet anerkjenner han sine rasistiske og sexistiske fordommer for å skape et utgangspunkt for diskusjon i gruppen. Det starter en kjedereaksjon som ikke kan stoppes.
Johan is the newly appointed head of the gender equality group at the theatre. At his first meeting with the actor ensemble, he acknowledges his racist and sexist prejudices in order to create a starting point for discussion in the group. It starts a chain reaction that cannot be stopped.
Script: Hampus Hallberg, Emil Brulin | Cast: Emil Brulin, Niclas Fransson, Eva Fritjofson
Production: Ylva Olaison
SWE 2021 | Fic. | 15 min.
Director: Naures Sager
HABIB & THE THIEF
To arabiske menn spiller et seksuelt ladet spill, men blir avbrutt av sin største skrekk - en trussel fra den arabiske verden.
Two Arab men are playing a sexy game but get interrupted by their biggest fear - a threat from the Arab world.
Script: Naures Sager | Cast: Robert Hannouch, Jonathan Kara
Production: Basel Mawlawi, Naures Sager
SWE 2017 | Doc.Fic. | 15 min.
Director: Saga Becker, Christofer Nilsson
FUCKGIRLS
Tre kvinner diskuterer sine erfaringer med undertrykkelse, selvforakt og å bestemme over eget liv.
Three women discuss their experiences of oppression, self-contempt and deciding over one’s own life.
Script: Saga Becker | Cast: Saga Becker, Heidi Ingensdotter, Ivy September Rosenauer, Oliver Haase, Carl-Michael Edenborg
Production: Christofer Nilsson
SWE 2022 | Fic. | 14 min.
Director: Alexander Abdallah, Mustafa Al-Mashhadani
WE WERE KIDS (Vi var barn då)
Alexander har samlet barndomsvennene sine i det gamle klasserommet deres for å vise dem en kortfilm han har laget om dem. Om mobbingen innenfor machokulturen og den harde sjargongen som dreper drømmene til unge menn fra forstedene.
Alexander has gathered his childhood friends in their old classroom to show them a short film he’s made about them. About the bullying within the macho culture and the hard jargon that kills the dreams of young men from the suburbs.
Script: Alexander Abdallah, Mustafa Al-Mashhadani | Cast: Alexander Abdallah, Nader Attiyah, Arman Cho, Isaac Abdulhamid, Adam Kais
Production: Adam Lunneborg
SWE 2016 | Fic. | 11 min.
Director: Bahar Pars
GHETTO SWEDISH (Rinkebysvenska)
Aisatou er skuespillerinne og kommer til et studio for å lese et manus. Men når hun først begynner, er det noe begge regissørene er misfornøyde med. Med slående troverdighet avsløres fordommer og etnisk baserte forventninger hos den hippe kultureliten.
Aisatou is an actress and comes to a recording studio to read a script. But once she starts, there is something both directors are dissatisfied with. With striking authenticity, prejudices and racialization among the hip cultural elite are revealed.
Script: Bahar Pars | Cast: Nanna Blondell, Jens Ohlin, Jonas Malmsjö
Production: Blondell Post Production - Oskar Blondell, Bahar Pars
SWE 2018 | Doc.Exp. | 17 min.
Director: Olivia Kastebring
THRUST (Juck)
Den kvinnelige dansegruppen JUCK ble kjent over hele verden i 2013 med en viral video. Deres nyskapende opptreden presset grensene for hvordan vi er vant til å se kvinnekroppen.
The all female dance group JUCK made a name for themselves in 2013 with a video that became a viral hit all over the world. Their groundbreaking performance pushed the boundaries for how we are used to seeing the female body.
Script: Julia Gumpert, Olivia Kastebring, Ulrika Bandeira
Til topps
