#jan malmsjo

[cinemabreak]

Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

Directed by Ingmar Bergman Cinematography by Sven Nykvist

“We were not in love. On the contrary, we were sad.”

[americanateurovision]

Highlights from Melodifestivalen: Week 2

Melodifestivalen continued this weekend, taking place in the city of Malmö. Hosts Sarah Dawn Finer and Marika Carlsson started the show off with a rap battle, which apparently is a thing in Sweden, contrary to popular belief. 

Seven new songs were presented, and four moved onward in the competition. 

Who Made it to the Final: Malou Prytz and Hanna Ferm & Liamoo

15 year-old Malou Prytz came out of nowhere to take one of the top spots this week. And it was well-deserved. "I Do Me” is a real bop, and Malou couldn’t be cuter. She looked like a baby Zara Larsson at Saturday’s show, and her performance popped thanks to her earnestness. This will be one to look forward to at the Final next month.  

Swedish Idol 2016 winner Liamoo (a.k.a. Liam Cacatian Thomassen) teamed up with Idol 2017 runner-up Hanna Ferm for this highly-anticipated duet. You’ll remember Liamoo from last year’s MelFest; his song, “Last Breath,” came sixth in the final. This year’s attempt, “Hold You,” is even better. It’s essentially an old-fashioned love song, but in the hands of these young singers, it feels modern and fresh. It’s likely “Hold You” would do quite well at Eurovision. 

Who Was Sent to Andra Chansen: Andreas Johnson and Vlad Reiser

These guys were sent to Andra Chansen. 

Moving on.

Who was ROBBED: Margaret and Oscar Enestad

Margaret (who’s actually from Poland) has had several break-out hits in Sweden over the last few years. She’s a pop princess who made her MelFest debut last year and finished seventh at the final. For her return, she came with “Tempo,” a fun little number with that characteristically-Margaret calypso sound. Maybe it was the green screen, maybe it was the dress, (it could just be because she’s not actually Swedish?) but viewers didn’t fall in love with this entry. She finished in fifth place, and won’t be moving on in the competition. 

In 2018, we saw Felix Sandman of beloved boyband FO&O go solo with a big boy song, and the move really worked for him– he came second in the contest and it launched a whole new career for him. This year, his former bandmates, Oscar Enestad and Omar Rudberg (Miss Omar will be performing next week), will try to repeat the same success by debuting their solo efforts. 

For Oscar Enestad, this one had a lot riding on it. See, for several years now, 21-year old Oscar has been in a controversial relationship with a much older woman, Cecilia Dahlbom, age 50. And not shockingly, his parents had a difficult time accepting his new girlfriend. So he wrote “I Love It” for MelFest and gave us the best song of the night. The staging, the rose petals, black nails and a silken shirt– the DRAMA of young love! Unfortunately, Sweden wasn’t having any of it. The shock of the night was when this former boybander finished in last place. More people voted for 86-year old Jan Malmsjö than Oscar. The good news though, is that "I Love It” entered the Spotify charts at #16, the highest of any MelFest songs from this week. Also, word is that Oscar’s parents are finally okay with his relationship. Love wins! 

Melodifestivalen continues next week in Leksand. 

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

The part of the Bishop was written for Max von Sydow, who previously worked with Ingmar Bergman in the 60s.  While Max was filming in Hollywood, negotiations went through Max's agent who, aware of Max's intense interest in the role, demanded a percentage of the profits.  Negotiations fell through with the producers, and Jan Malmsjo, well known in Sweden as a song and dance man,  was hired for the part.  Max harbored a bitter grudge about the film.

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

a stern step-father disciplines his step-children as the housekeeper and the mother look on silently in Fanny and Alexander (1982)

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Jan Malmsjo and Ewa Froling are husband and wife in Fanny and Alexander (1982).  Neither sought a career in Hollywood.

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Ingmar Bergman favorite Liv Ullman was offered the role of Emilie in Fanny and Alexander (1982) but refused it, leading to a falling out with the writer director.

[kellyreichardt]

Fanny and Alexander

[kellyreichardt]

Fanny and Alexander