Lineup 2026
We are looking forward to presenting an exciting selection of current Nordic films in Bonn from May 15 – 22! Tickets can now be purchased here and on the website of the Bonner Kinemathek.
To find the trailer to each film, just click on the corresponding image.
Sauna
Denmark 2025, 105 Min., Drama, FSK 16, with German subtitles
Director: Mathias Broe; Writer: William Lippert, Mathias Broe; Cast: Magnus Juhl Andersen, Nina Therese Rask, Dilan Amin
Opening: Fri. 15.05. 8.30 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
We are excited to open the 27th Scandinavian Film Days with a champagne reception starting at 20:00h together with you
Johan works at a gay sauna in Copenhagen’s queer nightlife. He meets William, a trans*man, and falls in love, but they soon encounter hurdles. They are confronted with gatekeeping and discrimination within the gay community as Inclusion clashes with the supposed protection of safer spaces.
#Identity #Sexuality #Relationship
CW: flashing lights, trans*phobia
Never alone | Ei koskaan yksin
Finland, Germany, Estonia, Sweden, Austria 2024, 85 Min., Historical drama, FSK 12, with German subtitles
Director: Klaus Härö; Writer: Klaus Härö, Jimmy Karlsson; Cast: Ville Virtanen, Rony Herman, Naemi Latzer, Kari Hietalahti, Nina Hukkine
Sat. 16.05. 6.30 pm, Kino in der Brotfabrik
Introduction (~ 15 min.) by Dr. Judith Meurer-Bongardt (University of Bonn)
Helsinki in 1942. Finland is allied to Nazi Germany, but even so the Finnish Jews are under protection by the government. When Germany demands their extradition, the businessman Abraham Stiller advocates for them, but the situation escalates.
#Histroy #War #Fascism
The Ugly Stepsister | Den stygge stesøsteren
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland 2025, 109 Min., Body horror/Dark comedy, FSK 16, with German subtitles
Director & Writer: Emilie Blichfeldt; Cast: Lea Myren, Ane Dahl Torp, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth
Sun. 17.05. 6.30 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
What is your favourite fairytale? Visit us at the Brotfabrik and write (or draw) it on our interactive fairytale wall
Once upon a time there was a kingdom called Swedlandia, in which beauty was the most important commodity. Young Elvira is willing to do anything to keep up with her flawless stepsister Agnes and win the prince’s heart. Unfortunately, that seems impossible with her current looks. Therefore, her ambitious mother chooses for her daughter a new nose from a catalogue, and Dr. Esthétique gets to work with his hammer and chisel. However, he has a lot more to offer than that…
The Ugly Stepsister is a rousing re-telling of Cinderella and the feature film debut of Emilie Blichfeldt. Between fairytale, satire and body-horror, the movie highlights the beauty standards forced upon women and criticizes gender roles and clichés. The Ugly Stepsister was a nominee for the Oscars in 2026.
#Fairytales #BrothersGrimm #BeautyStandards
CW: blood, self-harm, sexually explicit content, needles, vomiting
A Light That Never Goes Out | Jossain on valo joka ei sammu
Finland, Norway 2025, 111 Min., Drama/Music, FSK 12, with German subtitles
Director & Writer: Lauri-Matti Parppei; Cast: Samuel Kujala, Anna Rosaliina Kauno, Camille Auer, Kaisa-Leena Koskenkorva, Mari Rantasila, Jarkko Pajunen
Mon. 18.05. 8 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
Surprise quiz before the screening (prizes: snacks and drinks)
Pauli is a successful flutist. However, after having a breakdown he doesn’t know anymore what he should do. He returns to his hometown and meets his former schoolmate, Iiris. She helps him to find himself again and to reinvent his music with new sounds nobody has heard before.
In A Light That Never goes Out director and Writer Lauri-Matti Parppei processes his own childhood experiences within the DIY music scene. He creates a movie, which lures with unordinary sounds and a very special and personal passion for music.
#Music #MentalHealth #StartingOver #BreakingNorms
CW: suicide
Kevlar Soul | Kevlarsjäl
Sweden, Norway, Finland 2025, 101 Min., Drama, FSK 12, with German subtitles
Director: Maria Eriksson-Hecht; Writer: Maria Eriksson-Hecht, Pelle Rådström; Cast: Josef Kersh, Rio Svensson, Adja Sise Stenson, Jonay Pineda Shellac, Torkel Petersson, Tyrone Michele
Tue. 19.05. 8 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
Alex and Robin are inseparable. However, when Alex gets involved in a romantic relationship, the two brothers drift further and further apart. As a result, Robin starts getting himself into trouble and with their father being addicted to alcohol, Alex feels responsible.
Kevlar Soul focuses on the relationship between two teenage brothers, who are relying on just each other. Director Maria Eriksson-Hecht focusses on the responsibility some teenagers need to take on when no adults are around to do so.
#Siblings #Love #Conflict
CW: violence, blood, selfharm, alcoholism
The Last Paradise on Earth | Det sidste paradis på jorden
Faroe Islands, Denmark 2025, 87 Min., Drama, FSK 0, with English subtitles
Director: Sakaris Stórá; Writer: Tommy Oksen, Mads Steggar Sakaris Stórá; Cast: Sámal H. Hansen, Bjørg B. Egholm, Bjørn M. Mohr
Wed. 20.05. 8 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
Kári lives in a small village on the Faroe Islands, where he works in a fish factory. When the factory closes, more and more people have to leave the village. Kári has to face the question of what holds him there and if he wants to leave or stay.
#Family #Home #Community #Belonging
Life on the Edge
Greenland, Great Britain 2024, 63 Min., Documentary, with English subtitles
Director: Sebastian Feehan, Johnny Langenheim; Cast: Aqissiaq Nuka Semsen
Thu. 21.05. 5.30 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
with interview (~ 30 min.) after the screening
Greenland is the country with the highest suicide rate in the world. Life on the Edge shows how the people deal with that and what they do to raise awareness. The documentary follows Aquissiaq Nuka Semsen, who travels through Greenland to talk with people affected by suicide and to educate about suicide prevention. This happens before the backdrop of Greenland’s breathtaking nature.
#MentalHealth
Cw: suicide, alcoholism, animal suffering
Short film lineup
Norway/Sweden/Denmark/Finland/Iceland/Sápmi/Greenland
Fri. 22.05. 8 pm, Cinema in the Brotfabrik
ATTENTION: Screening changed to 8.30 pm!
Traditionally, the Skandinavische Filmtage Bonn end with the popular short film evening. Our audience can look forward to a diverse lineup of Nordic films!