At this year’s Pigeon Shrine FrightFest there were two very different Swedish films programmed. The first was supernatural woodland spooker, From Darkness, from Philip Da Silva, the second, In the Name of God, belonged to Ludvig Gür. For years, films from Sweden with a religious edge have always focussed on Paganism and the Occult, but Ludvig Gür instead opts to explore Christianity. Whilst this is nothing new for genre films from America and England, the Swedish slant makes for a compelling angle. So too does Ludvig Gür’s ability to turn the story within In the Name of God on its head, not once, but multiple times.
Priest Theodor (Linus Wahlgren) stands by in horror as his wife falls seriously ill. His world is crumbling and he seeks guidance from his old mentor, who convinces him he’s been chosen by God to rid the world of sinners to bring new life to true believers. With trembling hands, he commits his first murder, convinced he’s on a divine mission. Miraculously, at the moment of the murder, his wife’s health improves, and the congregation starts referring to him as the “miracle priest”. But lurking in the shadows is a disbeliever who uncovers the bloody traces of the priest’s unholy deeds.
FrightFest was the host of In the Name of God’s European premiere. To celebrate the occasion, writer and director Ludvig Gür was in attendance, joined by one of his cast, Kola Krauze, who plays Priest Theodor’s former mentor, Peter. During the weekend, the pair visited the FrightFest media wall where THN were able to ask them some probing questions about the project, including why those that weren’t at FrightFest should seek the film out upon its release.
In the Name of God screened at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest. A release date for In the Name of God is still to be announced.
