Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Long Ago

At the beginning of time, giants created the mountains and deep forests that surround the small town of Ydre. It’s now one of Sweden’s smallest municipality, and has a population of just a few thousand, which is carefully looked after by the friendly and idealistic mayor. He is ready with gifts and big smiles every time a child is born and he can note that Ydre has a new inhabitant. In the meantime, youths and elderly people are working and living their lives. It’s a cinematic film about responsibility, love for the community and sense of belonging told with an anchored humor about ordinary enlightened moments of everyday on-going life. Creation myths, fables and everyday realism are mixed with understated comedy in an atmospheric and moving film.

Between 1950 and 1970, Sweden’s only tinsel factory was located in a house near Västansjö in Dalarna. The factory embodied the cycles of the year: Christmas tree tinsel in winter, binoculars in spring, sunglasses in summer, and zippers in autumn. After the factory closed, it became the home of director Alexander Rynéus’s grandparents—who have since passed away. Together with his parents, he sorts through the factory’s old artifacts, transforming the house into an archaeological dig.

In Swedens windiest place, the valley of Stekenjokk rare birds try to breed while their eggs are threatened by poachers. Join two dedicated egg guards in a low-key but thrilling detective drama in a bird watching environment.