Before the Storm

In spite of a strange beginning with some hints and clues to what you're about to see, Före Stormen goes way beyond what you may even dare to think. This film is one of those gems from Sweden and Norway: A co- production that merges the views from a Danish-made Iranian filmmaker, and a very accomplished Swedish writer.

If you read the plot of this film, you will be very disappointed if you have the opportunity to actually watch it. It is, in my opinion, one of those scripts that could be a legend. Even when the subject matter of the film seems to be one we've seen many times, the pacing and the adding of extremely crafty and creative elements, make it a piece on its own, weaving a brilliant tragedy that could easily belong to any theatre in the world.

Visually, it's very straight-forward: No magic, no effects, no special polishing on anything. Perhaps it is this rawness and frankness of its photography and direction what makes Före Stormen even more appealing.

Be warned: it breaks many molds and goes to some of the darkest pits human hearts sometimes reach. Most disturbing is that this darkness resides in very young hearts.

Someone pointed out before me that this is a film that will make you cry even when you think about it... and that's true.

This film is truly a piece of art. The acting is superb. Especially I want to mention the young actors Emil Odepark (Leo, the outsider teenager) and Martin Wallström (Danne, the school bully). They both provide a lot to the heart and soul of the story. The message of the movie deals with choices we are forced to make in life, especially when all alternatives we have are bad, and the consequences we have to live with after the choices are made. This sounds very "deep", and indeed the storyline has several bottoms. Many questions are asked, and very few are answered. This movie makes you think.

In spite of the heavy subjects and the intellectual challenges, this film is never boring. In fact, I found it exciting from the first frame to the last. I can recommend this one to anyone who wants to see an exciting, well played, and well directed thriller that features more than good versus evil, hero versus villain. There are no heroes, and no villains, in this film.

In this tense drama we meet Leo (Emil Odepark), a Swedish schoolboy who has been the target of bullying by Danne (Martin Wallström), a fellow- student, for three years. It seems as if nothing has been done about the matter, although the adults are aware of it. Leo's mother, (Tintin Anderzon), a police woman, believes that Leo has to turn the other cheek; not helpful advice to a lad already under emotional stress. Time is however ticking; Leo is approaching breaking point…

Ali (Per Graffman), a taxi driver, from Middle-Eastern origin, has a happy family life with his Swedish wife and two daughters. It is here that the two story-lines cross; Leo is (one-sidedly) in love with one of Ali's daughters, sharing his class. Ali's peace of mind gets shattered when he is approached by an unknown Middle-Eastern woman, who informs him that people close to him will be harmed if he does not cooperate with her. It is revealed that Ali was an officer in a liberation movement in his home country as a young man, but that he had deserted to start a new life in northern Europe. And that this Middle- Eastern woman has taken trouble to find him, with one specific purpose: All that is required from Ali is that he prevents Sanders, a manufacturer of heavy motor vehicles, from exporting his trucks to Ali's home-country. Even if he has to kill Sander in the process. We soon find out why it is important to stop the export of vehicles to that specific Middle-Eastern country; The murderous regime in Ali's country of birth is equipping Sander's trucks with rocket launchers that are used to annihilate whole villages. Ali is given a deadline; he has precious little time to decide what to do.

This suspenseful, tragic drama demands answers about moral questions; when, if at all, is revenge and violence justified? And what are the alternatives? Thematically this excellent film is related to the outstanding 'In a Better World' (aka 'Hævnen') (2010), which, incidentally, I can recommend.

Without giving anything away, the hard-hitting ending will stay with me for a long time. Great acting, cinematography (an effective combination of hand-held camera work and more static photography) and restless soundtrack - contrasted by the serene, crystal-clear notes of 'Amazing Grace' at times - and a gripping script make this a film to be watched again. 7.5/10.

Leo, a guy in the seventh grade gets harassed by a two years older boy in school and seeks revenge. At the same time, Ali, the father of a girl in Leo's class (who Leo has a crush on) is contacted by a opposition group from his home country that wants Ali to assassinate an important man for them. Otherwise, they'll kill the family that Ali left when moving to Sweden.

These two stories about morale are connected to each other in Reza Parsa's remarkable debut. The direction is good, the acting is excellent (especially young Emil Odepark in the difficult role as Leo) and the photography is way better than it usually is in the Swedish movie industry.

Lukas Moodysson started a boom of making good films in Sweden with "Fucking Åmål" ("Show Me Love" in the U.S.) and I hope that'll continue with future movies from Parsa and Moodysson, who prove themselves to be the most talented Swedish directors since Bo Wideberg. The best drama-thriller in a while. 7/10

I love these films of total darkness with no hope in sight whatsoever. Per Graffman makes a magnificent portrait of a father torn between old sins and parenthood. Also "Leo" is fantastically portrayed by the young Emil Odepark, the bullied teenager who's had enough. Both of these destinies woven together exellently by script writers Mikael Bengtsson and Reza Parsa. Also dazzling music score by Peter Lundback in the pivotal, climatic ending scene. One of the best films I've seen from my Country Sweden in the last years! Outstandingly directed by Reza Parsa, not only the actors mentioned but all of them.

Looking forward to new releases from Parsa.