Songs from the Second Floor (2000)

Where are we humans going? A film poem inspired by the Peruvian poet César Vallejo. We meet people in the city. People trying to communicate, searching compassion and get the connection of small and large things.

Director:

Roy Andersson

Writer:

Roy Andersson

Stars:

Lars Nordh, Stefan Larsson, Bengt C.W. Carlsson

9 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lars Nordh	...	Kalle
Stefan Larsson	...	Stefan
Bengt C.W. Carlsson	...	Lennart
Torbjörn Fahlström	...	Pelle Wigert
Sten Andersson	...	Lasse
Rolando Núñez	...	Immigrant (as Rolando Nunez)
Lucio Vucina	...	The magician
Per Jörnelius	...	The sawed man / volunteer
Peter Roth	...	Tomas
Klas-Gösta Olsson	...	The speechwriter / Colonel (as Klas Gosta Olsson)
Nils-Åke Eriksson	...	Patient
Hanna Eriksson	...	Mia
Tommy Johansson	...	Uffe
Sture Olsson	...	Sven
Fredrik Sjögren	...	TheHanged Russian boy

Storyline

A film poem inspired by the Peruvian poet César Vallejo. A story about our need for love, our confusion, greatness and smallness and, most of all, our vulnerability. It is a story with many characters, among them a father and his mistress, his youngest son and his girlfriend. It is a film about big lies, abandonment and the eternal longing for companionship and confirmation.

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Plot Keywords:

black comedy | surrealism | female nudity | human sacrifice | crucifix | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

It took director Roy Andersson four years to complete this film.

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Quotes

[throwing away Christ crucifixes he couldn't sell]
Business Man: I am so embarrassed, my face is red. I staked everything on a loser.

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Connections

References The Meaning of Life (1983)

User Reviews

Sweedish Opera

Songs From The Second Floor has been described as a poem put to film, but after viewing this emotional work of art, I can't help but to feel that a Swedish Opera put to film is a more accurate description.

Directed and written by Roy Anderson, Songs From The Second Floor is a visual and emotional masterpiece. Showing Swedish and to a greater extent all of society, through grey colored glasses.

The cast primarily consists of non actors who made an impression on Roy upon him seeing them in everyday life. All of whom make similar impressions on us the viewers upon seeing them in this film.

Kalle (Lars Nordh) is the heart and star of this movie. It's through his story (one of several) that we fully experience this Swedish Opera. The pain, sadness, guilt, and hopelessness of Songs From The Second Floor, can be felt in every slow moving moment of his life.

Religion, love, poverty, and poetry are all common themes throughout this film. Giving it an identity all of it's own. You could watch a hundred films with similar descriptions, and still consider Songs From The Second Floor the strangest and most original film you've ever seen......Highly recommended for those who liked Northfork and Russian Ark.

Details

Country:

Sweden Norway Denmark

Language:

Swedish Russian

Release Date:

6 October 2000 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Songs from the Second Floor

Filming Locations:

Mysinge, Kalmar län, Sweden

Box Office

Gross USA:

$80,334

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$80,334

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte France Cinéma, Canal+, Coproduction Office

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1