Naman Shrestha
Written and directed by Thérèse Ahlbeck and Marcus Olsson, Netflix’s ‘The Swedish Connection’ is a Swedish biographical drama film that chronicles the life of a Swedish Foreign Ministry bureaucrat named Gösta Engzell, who stands for what he considers right during some of the darkest phases of World War II. The down-prioritized man decides to rescue thousands of Jewish lives by processing visas for them. As he is faced with various political challenges, Gösta somehow manages to turn neutral Sweden into a moral force, leaving a lasting humanitarian legacy.
Originally titled ‘Den Svenska Länken,’ the period movie features a talented ensemble cast comprising Henrik Dorsin, Sissela Benn, Jonas Karlsson, Marianne Mörck, Jonas Malmsjö, Carl Jacobson, and Johan Glans. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the historical tale unfolds in Sweden through the perspective of the protagonist as the nation goes through significant changes, not much in the physical sense but in a moral sense.
The Swedish Connection Filming Locations
‘The Swedish Connection’ was filmed in Sweden and Slovakia, particularly in Stockholm, Åhus, and Bratislava. According to reports, principal photography for the historical drama got underway in January 2024 and continued for about four months before wrapping up in May of the same year. As the premiere date approached, Nora Berecoechea, the visual effects supervising producer, took to social media and recounted her experience on the set.
“Had a very special 2 years working on this amazing project: shooting in Sweden and Slovakia while being pregnant and creating the VFX while learning to be a first time mom… and most of all enjoying every second of it! Thanks Julia & Jonas from @waycreativefilms for trusting me. Thanks @javisstify for saying yes and Joachim Hedén for all your support during the shoot and post! It was great to work with all of you again!” she stated.
Stockholm, Sweden
A major chunk of ‘The Swedish Connection’ was reportedly lensed in and around the capital of Sweden — Stockholm. The cast and crew members took over several streets and neighborhoods across the city, which were redressed to appear as if it were the early 1940s. The historically and culturally significant Arvfurstens Palats at Gustav Adolfs torg 1 in Stockholm served as a prominent production location. Various exterior shots were also recorded in the old town of Gamla Stan, which is known for numerous buildings such as the Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, the Tessin Palace, the House of Nobility, and more. Apart from the period film, Stockholm has hosted the production of many movies and TV shows, including ‘Stockholm,’ ‘The Most Beautiful Boy in the World,’ ‘Miss Friman’s War,’ and ‘The New Force.’
Åhus, Sweden
For the purpose of shooting, the filming unit of ‘The Swedish Connection’ also set up camp in the locality of Åhus, situated in Sweden’s Skåne County. During the filming process, they were spotted taping key beach portions in and around Snickarehaken, which is located at Snickarehaksvägen, 296 38 Åhus. The locality is popular among tourists, especially during the summer, as they visit the beaches and natural places in the Helgeå and Hanöbukten area.
Bratislava, Slovakia
In the month of January 2024, multiple areas of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, were turned into film sets for the production of ‘The Swedish Connection.’ Several interior and exterior sequences were reportedly taped in and around the Comenius University in Bratislava at Šafárikovo Námestie 6. To be specific, the Faculty of Arts at the University served as a key filming destination. Furthermore, the cast and crew members were spotted recording additional portions in the Old Town of Bratislava, a historic center that is home to various important landmarks.
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