Already having been a huge hit in its native Sweden, Victor Danell’s UFO Sweden begins its invasion of the US with a screening at Fantastic Fest. The film will release properly during early 2024, but those in Austin have been gifted a sneak peek. Set predominantly during the nineties, UFO Sweden taps into the power of nostalgia in the same way that Stranger Things did. In fact, were UFO Sweden to have settled on an eighties time period, it would be accused of infringing too heavily on the Netflix show. The differing decade facilitates distance, and really, outside of tapping into audience fondness for yesteryear, there is little to properly connect the two.
Opening with a brief sequence in the eighties – 28th November 1988 to be exact – UFO Sweden is quick to set-up the relationship between Denise (Inez Dahl Torhaug) and her father. A conspiracy theorist extremist, Denise’s father is a man determined to prove the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, and is unafraid to go to extreme lengths to achieve his goal. This includes bringing his young daughter on a clandestine data collection meeting. The information they uncover spurs her father into action, but Denise is left behind. Jump to September 1996 and Denise has still to be reunited with her father. Rather than view him as a dead-beat dad, she knows that there is something important happening. As strange weather occurrences begin, Denise is reminded of that fateful night and begrudgingly calls upon her father’s former organisation, ‘UFO Sweden’, for help.
Director Danell maintains an element of wide-eyed innocence, whilst at the same time being unafraid to tackle some dark topics. That Denise’s father abandoned her feels lifted straight from an Amblin archetype, which further pushes similarities. Denise being the one to lead the otherwise fairly clueless adult organisation of UFO Sweden is another tie. Both elements also conform to the standard child character, circa the nineties. The first encounter with Denise during the nineties sees her channel her inner John Connor as she demonstrates some savvy (and borderline criminal) tech skills. Her friendly demeanour with local law enforcement likens her to Sarah from The Crow. Then there is also an uncanny Eerie, Indiana vibe that cannot be shaken. Denise is a familiar figure of the time, as is her situation; even without the inclusion of Walkman and cassette players, it screams the nineties.
There is a restorative quality to UFO Sweden. This is a story about a young woman finding her place amongst the misfits and reclaiming her father. Along the way the audience also finds themselves somewhat changed. Elements of the plot will resonate with many, allowing them to turn the lens inwards to analyse their own journey in life. More than that, UFO Sweden is about families found. This is another concept that many people live with, but it never grows tiresome seeing it play out on screen. Wrapped around the emotional core is a pleasing science-fiction conspiracy that would have Fox Mulder grinning from ear to ear. Above all else though, UFO Sweden wears its heart on its sleeve, connecting to the viewer’s inner child and encouraging them to simultaneously come out to play and heal.
UFO Sweden
Summary
A wonderfully heart-felt throwback, UFO Sweden shines bright, engaging directly with the audience’s emotional core for maximum impact.
UFO Sweden was reviewed at Fantastic Fest 2023.
