HAMMARSKJOLD. Fight For Peace. (Sweden) Caloundra screening Sun 10am

HAMMARSKJOLD Fight For Peace film trailer HERE

M  112 Min 

Director Per Fly.  Stars Mikael Persbrandt,  (In A Better World) Francis Chouler  Cian Barry, Colin Salmon , Sara Soulié Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda) Thure Lindhardt (IntoThe Wild) and Richard Brake (Peaky Blinders) in a big production

Set largely in New York City, 1961 HAMMARSKJOLD Fight For Peace features an award winning performance from Mikael Persbrandt as the charismatic and commanding secretary general of the U.N. who having reached the pinnacle of his power and influence finds himself trying to bring peace to Africa (what a job!) as de--colonization gathers pace and conflicts break out over resources, particulary in The Congo.

As the pressure on "leave it to Dag" ( a nick name Eisnhower had given  the master statesman)  intensifies, an old friend, Peter turns up and conflicts his personal world as well, making him potentially liable to exposure or the threat of being compromised by spy agencies--including the CIA.  

Living alone with a monkey and a discreet butler, the Dag Hammarskjold that Persbarndt delivers on screen is work driven, largely admired as the best of statesmen and yet preturbed by the feelings that are reawakend in him when Peter appears. Coming out or enaging in a realtionship is unthinkable to him, yet a friednship is possible until he fears being compromised by Peter's past. 

 

When UN peacekeepers are killed in open battle in the Congo, HAMMARRSKJOLD  sees no other way than to impose peace by new measures and leads the UN troops on their first war mission. Well aware that his enemies might gather to plot against him, he boards a plane in a final attempt to negotiate a cease-fire in the warring Congo. 

It will be his last flight. 

"The decision to delve deeper into his personality makes him a more rounded, human figure and his loss all the more moving." Screen International

“Compelling historical narrative and central persona.”  Cineuropa

WINNER Best Costume Design,  Swedish Film Awards 2024

NOMINEE (x7) including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Cinematography,  Swedish Film Awards 2024

OFFICIAL SELECTION International Film Festival Rotterdam 2024