A Nordic Weekend of Film in Istanbul

During the second weekend of February, Nordic Film Days brought the richness and diversity of Nordic cinema to Istanbul audiences, showcasing five distinctive films from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland free of charge. The event, organized in collaboration with the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Culture Department took place at the iconic Beyoğlu Sineması on Istiklal Street.

A diversity of films were on display, each film embodying the Nordic region’s unique cultural insights and rich storytelling traditions. Throughout the weekend of 7-9 February, film lovers poured in for each screening of the Nordic Film Days, filling every seat, eager to experience compelling stories from the North.

The festival was kicked off by a warm welcome and a greeting in five different Nordic languages, by the consulates and embassies organizing the screening. The audience also had the honor to hear a word from Volkan Arslan, the head of department of Culture at Istanbul municipality.
  

Among the accomplished and captivating films was Once Upon a Time in a Forest, a Finnish documentary by Virpi Suutari. The film’s depiction of nature and the manner in which the young people relate to it, felt both simple and profound. In addition to addressing conservation and the majestic nature of the Nordic region, the film painted a picture of the youth’s active engagement with the society around them. Virpi Suutari, the filmmaker, is an awarded documentary director known for her cinematic style and emotional narratives. Her films have been shown all over the world.

All weekend long, Istanbul kept showing a real appetite for Nordic cinema, so much so that many who wanted to attend were not able to get a seat. While we were sorry for the film enthusiasts that wouldn’t get a taste of great Nordic filmmaking this time, we are encouraged to provide more opportunities to experience Nordic cinema in the future. Subscribe to our social media channels to learn about our events among the first ones!