SONGS FROM THE
SECOND FLOOR
aka SANGER FRAN ANDRA VANINGEN
Year: 2000
UK: ICA Projects
Cast: Sten Andersson, Hanna Eriksson, Torbjörn Fahlström, Tommy Johansson, Per Jörnelius, Stefan Larsson, Jöran Mueller, Lars Nordh, Rolando Núnez, Klas-Gösta Olsson, Sture Olsson, Fredrik Sjögren, Eva Stenfelt, Hasse Söderholm, Lugio Uucinia, Lucio Vucino, Peter Roth
Director: Roy Andersson
Countries: Denmark / Norway / Sweden
Language: Swedish (English subtitles)
UK: 98 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains infrequent strong language, moderate horror, and nudity
UK Release Date: 16 February 2001 (Limited Release)
Synopsis
SONGS FROM THE SECOND FLOOR unfolds through a series of tableaux to present a portrait of a city grinding to a halt. A magician's act goes horribly wrong; flagellants march through the streets causing endless traffic jams; a man is summarily sacked from his job after years of service and through all this walks the soot-covered Karl, who has just burned down his business for an insurance claim.
The surprise hit of last year's Cannes Film Festival, Andersson's first feature in 25 years paints a wildly funny, darkly surreal picture of spiritual meltdown at the end of the century. Justifiably compared with sources as varied as Bunuel and Bergman.