Review of 'Katinkas kalas'

Niclas Goldberg takes a closer look at Levan Akin's "Certain People"  

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  Still from “Certain People” (Katinkas Kalas) directed by Levan Akin. Screened in Swedish with English subtitles at the Tribeca Film festival. Photos: Filmlance International AB/Niklas Alexandersson

• Our film expert Niclas Goldberg took a closer look at the Swedish film "Certain People" ("Katinka's kalas") by Levan Akin, which recently had its international premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The film is about the awkwardness that can arise when people get together.

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  Still from “Certain People” (Katinkas Kalas)

• We also caught up with Levan while he and some of the main people behind the film visited New York: Film director Levan Akin on what, where and why...

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  Still from “Certain People” (Katinkas Kalas)

• Social bourgeois awkwardness and a dumb bimbo are in focus in the Swedish film “Certain People” (“Katinkas kalas”) that had its international premiere at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. Set in an idyllic Swedish summerhouse, this Anniversary Party People–inspired film balances seriousness and humor.
  Imagine being invited to a party filled with unease, anxiously culturally-correct people, social projections, delicious food and friends that don’t really seem like friends ... and you’ll get the general gist.
  At Katinka’s party is her small group of friends who all work in the art world or with film and music. Katinka herself is a curator at a museum. The talk around the festive garden table centers on everything from eggplant rolls to HBO-series. But soon the joyful mood breaks when Katinka’s troubled brother shows up with some girl he picked up last night—Linda, a blond, outspoken television host who falls into the party like a reality show bomb. Linda's presence brings out all the latent issues in the works—in terms of love and friendship and how they relate within society.
  Katinka, convincingly played by Mia Mountain, has a cool, subtle enigma that creates a fascinating aura. Although the script stumbles with some forced dialog, obvious lines and underdeveloped characters, debut director, Levan Akin is able to create a sense of mystery, and the cinematography is stunning. There are some truly entertaining points that oscillate between dry and clear among these self-righteous youngsters as the new girl unconsciously stirs the group.