{"id":13766,"date":"2014-04-20T11:25:13","date_gmt":"2014-04-20T00:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/roberthood.net\/blog\/?p=13766"},"modified":"2014-04-20T18:45:27","modified_gmt":"2014-04-20T07:45:27","slug":"the-old-man-and-the-monster-new-swedish-horror","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roberthood.net\/blog\/index.php\/2014\/04\/20\/the-old-man-and-the-monster-new-swedish-horror\/","title":{"rendered":"The Old Man and the Monster: New Swedish Horror"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nordic Noir (as crime fiction from the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden is being tagged) already has a strong presence on the Backbrain’s TV must-watch list (not to mention reading list). But there’s also been a decent smattering of Nordic Horror over the past five or six years. Several films spring immediately to mind: vampire drama Let the Right One in<\/em> [aka L\u00e5t den r\u00e4tte komma in] (Sweden, 2008), zombie Nazi horror Dead Snow<\/em> [aka D\u00f8d sn\u00f8] (Norway, 2009) and its sequel Dead Snow: Red vs Dead<\/em> [aka D\u00f8d Sn\u00f8 2] (Norway\/Iceland), hospital horror Dark Floors<\/em> (Finland\/Iceland, 2008), eco monster epic The Last Winter<\/em> (US\/Iceland, 2006), slasher horror Cold Prey<\/em> [aka Fritt vilt] (Norway, 2006) and its sequels, glacial monster flick Frost<\/em> (Iceland, 2012), evil Santa horror-comedy Rare Exports<\/em> (Finland\/Norway\/France\/Sweden, 2010) and, of course, the infamous Troll Hunter<\/em> [aka Trolljegeren] (Norway, 2010).<\/p>\n

Now a new one is set to be unleashed:<\/p>\n

\"Hermit_Monster_Killer-poster\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hermit: Monster Killer<\/em> (Sweden-2014; dir. Ola Paulakoski<\/span>) is touted by its makers to be a horror comedy, “a mixture of Jaws<\/em> and \u00c5sa-Nisse (an eccentric elderly character\u00a0created by Swedish writer Stig Cederholm —\u00a0\u00c5sa-Nisse<\/span><\/span> has featured in humorous stories, over 20 films and a comic series), Tremors<\/em> and a V\u00e4rml\u00e4ndsk local revue, with elements of Moby Dick<\/em> and Predator”<\/em>. <\/span>\n<p>”>The film’s Swedish title is\u00a0Den gamle och monstret!<\/em>, which literally translates as “The Old Man and the Monster” — a rather nice evocation of Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"HMK-02-Borje<\/a><\/p>\n

Directed by Ola Paulakoski and produced by Gustaf Karlsson from a script by Fred Anderson<\/a>, Hermit: Monster Killer<\/em> tells the story of an aged and rather cranky recluse (played by\u00a0<\/span>B\u00f6rje<\/span> Lundberg, pictured above) who decides to take matters into his own hands when a mysterious monster turns up and has the tasteless audacity to kill his dog! <\/span>\n<p>”>Of course, a slew of other characters — most of them members of the local rugby team — are on hand to provide comic relief and victims. <\/span><\/p>\n

It stars B\u00f6rje Lundberg, Markus Svahn, Tommy Nordin, Henrik Sj\u00f6man, Johannes S\u00f6derqvist, Fredrik Weileby, Rebecca Vilagos, Nikolaj Vind Sober, Gustaf Karlsson, Anders Hasselrot, Krister Brandling and Ola Paulakoski.<\/p>\n

Below: Director Ola Paulakoski as Ronny Broo studies what’s left of… something…<\/p>\n

\"HMK-06-Ola<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<p>”>According to publicity, the film features “humor and warmth mixed with winks to American genre films … in the spirit of the Norwegian success Trolljegeren <\/em>[Troll Hunter]”. Name-dropping the UK zomromcom Shaun of the Dead<\/em> and the excellent alien invasion flick Attack the Block<\/em> gives some sense as to where the filmmakers are coming from. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n<p>”>The titular character, an ageing eccentric, seems to represent a popular stereotype in Nordic popular culture. Here he is in some concept art, with a hint as to the shape of the beast as well.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"HMK-concept-art\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Synopsis:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

V\u00e4rmland, Sweden — where people are happy. Clean air, crystal clear waters, green forests. Way out there in the wilderness lives a grumpy old hermit and his faithful dog. The only thing they need to worry about are the brats who pinch his apples and the occasional lost tourist. It’s a good life, maybe a little lonely, but far from the worst you can have.<\/p>\n

The nearest town is a small place with a grimy pizza joint and a single cop who has hold of the law. It is also home to Palle, a lucky loser who thrives quite well as the local rugby team’s mascot and is deeply in love with his beautiful girlfriend, Ulla. Sure, life is perfect right? Or it was until the day the bad thing happens. Yes, THAT! The day the MONSTER came!<\/p>\n

Now it’s up to the hermit Palle and his rugby friends to hunt down and exterminate the mysterious beast that threatens to tear apart the town and eat up every last man, woman and pet it comes across! Soon the once-beautiful scenery is filled to the brim with horror beyond our heroes’ wildest fantasies!<\/p>\n

Only one man can stop the monster’s rampage: the old hermit — and his hunting rifle. But is he past his used-by date?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0[youtube l9579FusvH4]<\/p>\n

[youtube T46LCcHRQMU]<\/p>\n

More trailers\/teasers can be viewed on the film’s website<\/a>.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gallery:<\/strong><\/p>\n