We start off with the Casino Royale (2006) on July 28, the first Bond film to feature Daniel Craig as "Bond, James Bond." Casino Royale also catapulted accomplished Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen to worldwide recognition. As Le Chiffre, Mikkelsen brought a gravitas to the villain who challenges Bond across the poker table and in one of the more chilling torture scenes of the franchise's recent run. "Audiences were given a Bond villain the likes of which they had never seen before, and that has proven hard to match since," wrote Isabella Soares (Collider) in a recent review of Mikkelsen's many big budget roles
On August 28, we screen the family feature The Witches (1990) featuring Swedish actress Mai Zetterling as Grandma Helga. Starting in films in 1941, Zetterling spent the next 50 years both acting and directing in international cinema. In her next to last film, Zetterling, as Grandma Helga, reveals how to spot a witch and aids her grandson when they uncover the witches' plot to turn all the children of England into mice. Based on the children's novel by Roald Dahl, this feature was directed by Nicholas Roeg and features the talents of Anjelica Huston and Rowan Atkinson, along with some fantastical mice created by Jim Henson's creature shop.
Then we'll be seeing you on September 22 for Casablanca (1942), the classic World War II thriller that pairs Humphrey Bogart with Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman. As Ilsa, Bergman scored her first giant Hollywood hit. From the lovers' parting in Paris to their fateful meeting again when "in all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine," there's never a moment when Bergman doesn't command the screen. Casablanca won three Academy Awards for best picture, director, and screenplay, and Ilsa became Bergman's most frequently cited role.
Launching this year, our Nordics in Hollywood series celebrates the contributions of Nordic and Nordic American actors and directors to American cinema. All films are presented free of charge. Please reserve your space in advance on the calendar.
