Lars Safstrom Movies
- 2005
In 2002, the team of Magnus Bejmar and Danish performance artist Simone Aaberg Kaern (romantic and creative partners) read in the newspapers of Farial, a young girl in Kabul, Afghanistan who longed to train as a fighter pilot. Buckling beneath the oppressive weight of gender restrictions in Afghani society, Farial's dream appeared utterly hopeless, yet Kaern and Bejmar (a couple with a passion for aviation) felt deeply moved by her story, and planned to help her realize her personal vision. The two purchased a 1961 Piper Colt airplane, flew it 6,000 km from Copenhagen to Kabul, and ultimately shared the raw freedom of flight with Farial by taking her up as a passenger in their plane; those experiences form the basis of the documentary Smiling in a War Zone (AKA Flying Down to Kabul), co-directed by Bejmar and Kaern. The film documents the many struggles encountered by the filmmakers along the way, including the mountains of bureaucratic red tape that made the post-9/11 journey a near impossibility, the complications wrought by flying a Piper Colt high above its registered altitude limit, and - ultimately - the objections presented by Farial's family when confronted with the thought of her flying alongside trained fighter pilots, that raised serious questions about the repressive societal fabric in the Middle East. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Simone Aaberg Kaern, Magnus Bejmar, (more)
- 1994
This biography profiles the life and times of early 20th century Swedish painter Anders Zorn who gained notoriety for his nudes. His works are currently worth millions. The film is set in the time when Zorn, already respected for his art, was commissioned to paint a portrait of the Swedish king. Though an excellent painter, Zorn's personal life is dreadful. A boozer and a womanizer who frequently cheats on his wife, Zorn constantly seeks approval for his art. When he travels to the U.S. for a tour he meets Emilie Bartlett the wife of sculptor Paul W. Bartlett with whom he begins a sporadic affair. After Paul commits suicide, Zorn and Emilie move to Sweden. Zorn disregards his wife's feelings and openly displays his affections for Emilie. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gunnar Hellstrom, Linda Kozlowski, (more)
- 1991
The Ture Sventon detective novels and stories by Ake Holmberg have delighted generations of Swedish youngsters. This somewhat stylized film takes the private detective on a search for a famous horse stolen from the circus. The clever language of the novel this film is based on enlivens narrated sections. The filmmakers chose to minimize the magical aspects of the novel and to present the action in a larger-than-life manner harking back to silent films. Given the iconic status of the novels, neither decision pleased those reviewers who were familiar with them. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helge Skoog, Nils Moritz, (more)
