Amanda Kernell’s BRACE YOUR HEART Competes in San Sebastián

Amanda Kernell’s Brace Your Heart will have its European premiere in the main competition at this year's San Sebastián International Film Festival, following its world premiere today at the Toronto International Film Festival. Angelica Ruffier’s La belle année also competes in the section Zabaltegi-Tabakalera, while Jon Holmberg’s Super Charlie features at the festival in a Basque-dubbed version. Four Swedish co-productions have also been selected for this year's programme.

– This is amazing news!! To have our European premiere in competition at San Sebastián is such an honor for everything it represents and all the fantastic filmmakers that have participated before us. I’m happy the Spanish and Basque speaking world will meet our film right there; at their most prestigious festival – and I am so thankful to absolutely everyone who contributed to make this film come true, says director Amanda Kernell.

In a remote Sámi village high in the mountains, 20-year-old Ejva inherits her late father's reindeer herd. As she struggles to keep the herd thriving, local leader Heaika develops romantic feelings for her, and though hesitant, she feels compelled to accept. But everything changes when Nejla, Heaika’s cousin, arrives, and Ejva discovers true love for the first time. Betrayed and jealous, Heaika reacts harshly, leaving Ejva with a condition that makes her hands shake uncontrollably, threatening her ability to care for the herd. Now, Ejva must find a way to reclaim control over her life and her future.

Brace Your Heart awaits its world premiere today in Toronto, in the competitive section Platform, and will then compete for San Sebastián's top prize, the Golden Shell. The award will be decided by the Official Selection jury, which includes Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård, among others.

Brace Your Heart, with the Sámi original title Garrat du Váimmu and the Swedish title Gör hjärtat hårt, is written and directed by Amanda Kernell and produced by Eva Åkergren for Nordisk Film Production. Co-producers include, among others, SVT, Filmpool Nord, Film i Väst and the Sámi production company Forest People, with support from the International Sámi Film Institute and the Swedish Film Institute's former film commissioner Anders Nylander, among others.

Nordisk Film is the film's Swedish distributor, while international sales are handled by TrustNordisk.

La belle année by Angelica Ruffier (Zabaltegi-Tabakalera)

While emptying her childhood home after her estranged father’s death, Angelica recalls a fierce and solitary love she had for her history teacher, Miss S. As her list of duties never seems to diminish, an intense desire grows in Angelica: to meet her again.

The film will have its Spanish premiere in the competitive section Zabaltegi-Tabakalera, which encompasses all forms of filmmaking, highlighting films daring to try new angles and formats. Earlier this year, the film had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it won the Tiger Special Jury Award.

La belle année is written and directed by Angelica Ruffier and produced by Marta Dauliūtė and Brynhildur Þórarinsdóttir for MDEMC in co-production with, among others, Film Stockholm and Filmpool Nord. The film has received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Anna Weitz.

Folkets Bio is the film’s Swedish distributor, while international sales are handled by Odd Slice Films.

Super Charlie by Jon Holmberg (Movies for kids)

Wille dreams of being a superhero like his dad, but the arrival of his brother Charlie changes his life. When they discover that the baby has superpowers, the two will have to team up as a super duo against a dangerous villain.

The film is an adaptation of Camilla Läckberg’s popular book series and features in the section Movies for kids where it will be dubbed into Basque.

Super Charlie is written and directed by Jon Holmberg and produced by Gustav Oldén for Nordisk Film Production Sweden, in co-production with, among others, SVT, Film I Skåne and Slugger Film. The film has received support from the Swedish Film Institute.

Nordisk Film is the film's Swedish distributor, while international sales are handled by TrustNordisk.

SWEDISH CO-PRODUCTIONS

Fjord by Cristian Mungiu (Perlak – Romania, France, Norway, Sweden and Denmark)

The film is written and directed by Cristian Mungiu and was awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes earlier this year. Swedish co-producers are Sean Wheelan for Filmgate Films, Mimmi Spång for Garagefilm International and Film i Väst. The film received support from the Swedish Film Institute’s film commissioner Hanna Lejonqvist Sobieski.

Parade by Jacques Tati (Klasikoak – France and Sweden)

Jacques Tati’s final feature film was shot at Cirkus in Stockholm with a predominantly Swedish film crew, including cinematographer Gunnar Fischer, a frequent collaborator of Ingmar Bergman. The film was co-produced by Sveriges Radio and premiered at Cannes.

Cute by Marlene Emilie Lyngstad (New Directors – Denmark, Sweden and Norway)

The film is directed by Marlene Emilie Lyngstad, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Emilie Koefoed Larsen. Swedish co-producers are Johanna Bergenstråhle for Nordisk Film Production Sverige and Film i Väst.

Florid by Billy Lumby (New Directors – United Kingdom and Sweden)

The film is written and directed by Billy Lumby. Swedish co-producers are Sean Wheelan for Filmgate Films and Film i Väst.

The 74th edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival takes place September 18–26. Read more about the festival and this year's programme.