The film festival kicks off nationally with the heartwarming comedy, Here is Harold, which shows the journey of a bitter old man who seeks revenge by trying to kidnap the founder of IKEA. Other handpicked films include RAMS, which received the top prize of Un Certain Regard as well as a 10 minute standing ovation at Cannes; the thought-provoking, coming-of-age film, Young Sophie Bell; and the hilarious holiday drama featuring an award-winning performance from Bodil Jørgensen, All Inclusive.  The Scandinavian Film Festival wraps up with an eye-opening documentary on one of Hollywood’s most beloved imports, Ingrid Bergman: In her Own Words.

Another highlight of the festival is the guest appearance from multi-talented actress, Bianca Kronlöf, who appears in the biting drama, Underdog. Kronlöf will appear for the opening night screenings in Melbourne and Sydney for exclusive Q & A sessions on the 10th and 11th of July respectively. We spoke with the star about the festival.

“The program is fantastic I have to say. As a Scandinavian to come here and see all the films that they got together is amazing. I hope that I will have time to see as much as possible. It’s actually weird as a scandinavian to come to Australia and be like ‘now I can see all the good Scandinavian films, this is amazing!’ It’s like travelling back to my roots through Australia.”

Miss Kronlöf said that the fact that more Scandinavian films are heading abroad is testament to the growth of the Scandinavian film industry. She said their point of difference to mainstream Hollywood films is their focus on the characters and their relationships.

“In Sweden we don’t do these huge action things. Of course we have these boring, mainstream movies that don’t say anything about anyone that are just there for people to watch when you’re hungover, which is a good thing we need those movies as well. And then the smaller, underground ones. But to compare Swedish films to Hollywood mainstream I would say that it’s more relationship based and about the characters.”

The Swedish actress also added: “Everyone should go to the Scandinavian Film Festival because it’s such a good program. So if you go, you can be an expert about Scandinavian films right now, because the program is so exceptionally good.”

Head to the Scandinavian Film Festival website for more information on the films and to buy tickets.

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Ms Gilbert says Mark Hanham’s work is very distinct and diverse, and his most recent exhibition featuring 24 pop-art inspired portraitures is no exception.

“His work has very distinctive, iconic elements so that when you look at it you instantly recognise that it is Mark Hanham. You can see by the way that he drops the paint, the way he creates the image and his inspiration behind it. He’s very observant of the human condition, how we are in society. His cityscapes represent the hustle and bustle of the city, where as the pop art has that same sort of vision where he’s looking at faces as periods of time or how people connect an image or a face with a time in their lives.

“[In Face Value] he’s looking at commodities and how we value our faces and looking at that with pop art as a product as well. There’s lots of Marilyn Monroe’s, Audrey Hepburn’s, Charlie Chaplin’s, Elvis and Jimmy Hendrix; quite a few icons that the audience can relate to, so there’s something for everyone.”

Jessica Gilbert believes that being a contemporary artist in the modern age means being in tune with what’s happening around you as well as what’s happening worldwide.

“Mark’s work does very well internationally so as a contemporary artist his vision is looking beyond what’s happening in Sydney or Australia and looking at how the world is moving – in America, Paris or London. Each environment and each country are each in a different style of his work. So as a contemporary artist he’s constantly looking for new inspiration and changing up his collection of work.

“Whether he’s looking at a European, US or Australian market, it’s looking for those different things that those people can connect with.”

Mark has a very unique style of painting that he has built up across his entire career. He started up as quite an abstract painter then moved to a more linear, illustrative style. He is an action painter, so features a unique drip style action. He uses a monotone palate with lots of black, white, red and blue, and repeatedly uses a coke symbol as a common thread across his exhibitions.

“You can recognise it as Mark Hanham’s palate and what he uses to brand his work,” said Jessica.

Mark is a prolific painter so is always creating new works for the gallery. Art enthusiasts can head in to the space every month or few weeks to experience something new. Next up that gallery will be reintroducing some of Mark Hanham’s Paris series.

Mark has done something very different with Face Value by going into portraiture, so the gallery is thrilled about the current exhibition and they believe it will be a very exciting experience for gallery-goers. This fun series of art is being showcased until 26th June, so be sure to head in to the gallery on Crown Street to witness the unique works for yourself.

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Spectrum Now claims to “celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of music, film, books, theatre, dance, contemporary art and design” and is launching tonight at The Domain. Spectrum Now is presented by ANZ and features over 150 exhibitions, gigs, talks, performances and events over the next three weeks.

From March 11-22, the festival will see The Domain transformed into the Spectrum Playground: a “creative pleasure garden” with outdoor galleries and sculpture installations, markets, food stalls and much more. It is essentially a place where artists can express their imaginations and let loose their creative spirit – all to mesmerise and inspire local Sydney siders.

Many of the plays, galleries and installations are free and support local artists by getting showcasing their work, and helping to get their name out there.

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The Golden Age Cinema will be hosting ‘Hollywood Nights’, displaying such beloved classics as Ghostbusters, Singing in the Rain and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The Hendricks Parlour of Curiosities each night will feature intimate gatherings, performances and theatrical experiences that will enchant and mystify.

Spectrum Now also boasts of hosting a stellar lineup of upcoming local musicians, including but not limited to: SASKWATCH, Steve Smyth, Cabins, DZ Deathrays

The Full Spectrum talk series provides a diverse and inspiring set of discussions, panels and performances including conversations with Jeffrey Tambor, Cate Blanchett, Peter FitzSimons, Kate McClymont and many more.

And if that weren’t enough, as part of the Spectrum Now festival Alan Rickman is heading to Sydney for a Q & A session at the screening of his new film, A Little Chaos, and the Art Gallery of NSW will be hosting a whole suite of special events such as a sensory and immersive Opera experience, Orfeo Ed Euridice.

The Sydney Morning Herald columnist, and creative director Richard Roxburgh has said of the festival, “Sydney has one of the most rich and diverse artistic communities in the world. At Spectrum Now we will be showcasing that entire community and encouraging them to join us in bringing a degustation of delights to the people of Sydney,” Roxburgh said.

Spectrum Now is presented in partnership with ANZ and CEO Phillip Chronican says ANZ is excited to be part of the team to bring this festival to Sydney. “We have a long history of supporting arts and culture, and we are excited to be a part of such a compelling program, that gives Sydneysiders the opportunity to immerse themselves in art, music and culture for the month of March” Mr Chronican said.

Head to the Spectrum Now Program for more information or to book tickets to any of these incredible cultural events.

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