Cert 15
(Sweden, 2008, 115 mins, Cert 15, directed by Tomas Alfredson) is another exquisitely beautiful and delicate vampire film. “Filmed in a chilly, wintry Sweden, it skilfully catches you off guard by being, for the most part a quiet, solemn piece of work. Bloodletting largely happens off-camera, as if to spare our sensibilities and yet its occasional setpiece scenes are jawdropping”. (Rob Mackie, The Guardian).
Programme Notes
Sweden 2008 115 minutes Cert 15
Eli is 12 years old. She’s been 12 for over 200 years and, she just moved in next door. Oskar, a bullied 12-year old, dreams of revenge. He falls in love with Eli, a peculiar girl. She can’t stand the sun or food and to come into a room she needs to be invited. Eli gives Oskar the strength to hit back but when he realizes that Eli needs to drink other people’s blood to live he’s faced with a choice. How much can love forgive? Let The Right One In is a story both violent and highly romantic, set in the Stockholm suburb of Blackeberg in 1982.
Oskar – Kåre Hedebrant
Eli – Lina Leandersson
Håkan – Per Ragnar
Erik – Henrik Dahl
Yvonne – Karin Bergquist
Director – Tomas Alfredson
Screenplay – John Ajvide Linqvist
Cinematography – Hoyte Van Hoytema
Original Music – Johan Söderqvist
Producers – Carl Molinder, John Nordling
“Alfredson, unfamiliar with the horror and vampire genres, decided to tone down many elements of the novel and focus primarily on the love-story between the two main characters. The lead actors were selected through a one-year-long process that involved open castings being held all over Sweden. In the end, then 11-year-old Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson were chosen for the leading roles. They were subsequently commended by both Alfredson and film reviewers for their performances.” Wikipedia
Comments
“Very charming; utterly engaging”
“A unique take on contemporary vampire films”
“Much more understandable [than Vampyr]. Great acting by young central characters. Good storyline and an inventive take on the vampire myth.”
“Great cast, especially the children. Director [Alfredson] captured well the beautiful Swedish countryside.”
“Suitably gory”
“Very good – a lot of blood and snow.”