Guðmundsson’s sophomore coming-of-age feature about a group of neglected and violent boys, pushing their limits, was described by the jury of the Icelandic Film and Television Academy as “an intimate and heart-rending story, presented in an honest and measured manner”. “A major part of the film‘s effectiveness is the commendable and singular performance of a young and courageous cast. The tone, spirit, and emotion of the narrative utilise the film form in a remarkable way, resulting in a raw and powerful experience,” they said.

Since its launch at the last Berlinale where the film won the Europa Cinemas Label, Beautiful Beings has travelled to over 30 festivals, including Helsinki’s Love & Anarchy Film Festival where it is currently screening.

New Europe Film Sales has sold it to numerous territories such as the US (Altered Innocence), the UK (Signature Entertainment), Hungary (Vertigo), Benelux (Arti Film), Germany/Austria (Salzgeber) and Spain (Filmin).

The film was produced by Join Motion Pictures’ Anton Máni Svansson, in coproduction with Motor (Denmark), Hobab (Sweden), Bastide Films (The Netherlands) and Negativ (Czech Republic), with support among others from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

Read our interview with the director: CLICK HERE.

Sweden’s Oscar submission Boy from Heaven earned Tarik Saleh a Best Screenplay Award and François Chalais Prize at the last Cannes Film Festival.

The political thriller featuring religious power struggles and corruption in Egypt was produced by Kristina Åberg for ATMO and Fredrik Zander, in co-production with Finland’s Bufo, Denmark’s Final Cut for Real and France’s Memento Production among others.

Memento International has sold the film to more than 50 countries including the UK (Picturehouse), Germany/Austria (X Verleih), Switzerland (Filmcoopi), Poland (M2 Films), Israel (New Cinema), and Latin America (Impacto).

Petter Mattsson, Head of the Swedish Film Institute’s International Department, and Chairman of the Swedish Oscar Committee said about the film: “Boy from Heaven is a film with both political and personal depth where the little guy becomes a pawn in a game with high stakes. With his masterful script, fantastic acting, magnificent settings and cinematography that leaves the viewer breathless, Tarik Saleh has created a political thriller of high international standard. I am convinced that the film has a real chance of going all the way to nomination and beyond.”

The film will open the Stockholm International Film Festival on November 8 and will be released in Swedish cinemas November 18 via TriArt.

Read our interview with Tarik Saleh: CLICK HERE. ​

The 15 finalists for the Oscars shortlist in Best International Feature category will be announced December 21 and the final five choices January 24, 2023. The 95th Academy Awards will be handed out March 12, 2023 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.