Oct. 29, 2019

This paid event listing is sponsored by Cinema Falls.

The second annual Nordic Film Festival arrives in Sioux Falls next month with double the films and a tasty smorgasbord of Scandinavian food.

The event is part of Cinema Falls and will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Orpheum Theater Center.

“The idea to host a Nordic Film Festival is definitely rooted in years spent thinking about reintroducing an arts event that acknowledges one aspect of the heritage of our community,” said Cinema Falls founder Julie Anderson Friesen, who grew up attending Nordland Fest at Augustana University with her grandparents. The event was focused on celebrating older traditions and historic preservation.

“Our Cinema Falls film festival event is very much focused on contemporary Scandinavia – and film is one of the most accessible art forms to do so and a great way to explore culture through visual storytelling.”

Last year’s inaugural event drew people who came from up to four hours away.

“This year, we’ve doubled our offerings – but for the same ticket price, so it’s an incredible value,” Anderson Friesen said.

The day kicks off with the Academy Award®-winning classic film “Babette’s Feast,” based on the story by Isak Dinesen (the pen name of Karen Blixen who also wrote “Out of Africa”).

The matinee is the current documentary and recent Critics’ Choice Awards nominee “Cold Case Hammarskjöld,” a blend of crime investigation and gonzo journalism from Mads Brügger.

The evening feature film, “One Last Deal,” will be shared with the audience before its theatrical release and is directed by Golden Globe nominee and Ingmar Bergman Award winner Klaus Härö of Finland.

The late-night film is an edge-of-your-seat, R-rated thriller titled “Headhunters,” directed by Morten Tyldum and based on the book from well-known crime novelist Jo Nesbø. The film is a prior selection from Cinema Falls’ inaugural year and remains its most requested title to bring back to the big screen.

“Programming these films required a hunt for what is new but also a celebration of genres and a delicious nod to one of the most famous foodie films in any language,” Anderson Friesen said.

“We are also thrilled to present a film short from Augustana alum and current graduate film student of South Dakota’s Barbara Schock (at NYU Tisch). Director Maria Lavelle’s ‘Holy Jail’ will be paired with one of our feature films, and we’ll celebrate our local connection to her – as a student who enrolled at Augustana with a hometown in Norway.”

Tickets are $15 for any or all films in the Orpheum main theater. A separate, additional $35 ticket is required for all who wish to join the evening meal, which is an on-site festive smorgasbord occurring between the matinee and evening film. Meal tickets must be purchased by Saturday, Nov. 2.

The dinner will be held in the Anne Zabel Studio Theater at the Orpheum and will be catered by the Washington Pavilion.

Anderson Friesen calls it a “slightly Scandinavian meal” with poached salmon, Swedish meatballs and lingonberry, chicken and chive skewers, pickled cucumbers, deviled eggs, a cash bar, and – of course – movie candy.

Each smorgasbord guest also will receive a gift bag “with a bit of Nordic holiday cheer.”

“The historic Orpheum Theater’s beauty, its incredible option for balcony film viewing and the access to a lobby bar throughout the day are all unique options for any film event – let alone an all-day Nordic Film Festival,” Anderson Friesen said.

“Concessions will be available throughout the day as well, and we hope that our patrons are able to explore local eateries and coffee shops in the downtown area during the lunch break, fueling dollars into downtown.”

Tickets are available at cinemafalls.com along with film ratings, movie trailers and event schedule. Artist Mary Groth contributed her Nordic-inspired artwork to serve as the centerpiece of event communications.

“Her work truly embodies the spirit of our event: a celebration of the Nordic life, our desire to celebrate the art of film and to hold high standards for artistic quality,” Anderson Friesen said.

“We invite all members of our community to join us for a day of film, food and conversation as we head into the Nordic-inspired weather ahead!”