RIDM 2023: Vintersaga (by Carl Olsson) | Review
Vintersaga is a masterfully filmed documentary by Carl Olsson, presenting a poetic and humorous sociological portrait of the Swedish winter, deftly intertwining melancholy with warmth and humanity.
Presented at the 26th Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM), running from November 15th to 26th, 2023, Vintersaga, directed by Carl Olsson, is a captivating documentary that offers a poetic and melancholic glimpse into the distinct world of winter in Sweden. Through a stunning mosaic of characters and life moments, Olsson skillfully dissects Swedish society as it grapples with the gentle melancholy of winter.
The film, which premiered earlier this year at CPH:DOX, unfolds as a series of beautifully composed tableaus that highlight the quirks and intricacies of everyday life. Each scene operates like a miniature theater of the human comedy, and Olsson’s impeccable cinematography and rhythm revel in the incongruities emanating from these vignettes.
With brilliant editing, the filmmaker elevates small gestures and fragments of conversations that immerse us, in just a few seconds, in the world of the people on screen, bringing us closer to their hopes, immediate concerns, or existential ponderings. With elegance and finesse, Carl Olsson creates a touching sociological portrait that celebrates the warmth and humanity hidden beneath the soft melancholy of winter.
Vintersaga delves into themes such as death, solitude, but also friendship, solidarity, and sisterhood. In mere seconds and fragments of conversation, we are transported into the lives of these individuals, forging a deep and genuine connection with them. The film’s seamless editing subtly enhances these slices of life, crafting an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The film’s winter melancholy is beautifully captured through perfectly framed and composed shots, and the magic unfolds in Olsson’s meticulously timed sequences. The camera becomes omniscient, offering us a unique perspective on the Swedish winter experience.
In a style reminiscent of Ruben Östlund, the film humorously observes the mundane and the absurd, much like Östlund’s short film Incident by a Bank, where an unassuming observer witnesses a comically inept bank robbery. This keen observation of reality leads to surprising and original scenes, filled with quirkiness and humor.
Vintersaga presents a kind of human comedy, where individuals are placed within frames, akin to a theater stage. The film’s humor revels in incongruities while also embracing a hint of melancholy. It is a poetic and melancholic sociological portrait that addresses themes such as death, solitude, but also friendship, solidarity, and sisterhood, all within the span of a few seconds and snippets of conversation.
The characters in Vintersaga exude warmth, and the film’s mosaic of characters and situations paints a compelling sociological portrait. It masterfully balances its melancholic atmosphere, presenting both raw and challenging scenes alongside touching and heartfelt moments.
As the film unfolds, it references itself as a film, drawing the audience even deeper into its narrative. When the film concludes, you feel as though you know these people, have become attached to them, and crave more, all while immersing yourself in the gentle melancholy of winter.
The film’s music is hauntingly beautiful, and the editing reaches sublime heights. Vintersaga is a masterfully crafted documentary that offers an intimate and captivating look at the human experience amidst the Swedish winter landscape.
