The movie is really funny and nice. The message of the movie is about how foreign people have it in Sweden. The actors act very good but some lines are too long. Lia Boysen fits in very good. Some jokes is not funny, but most of the jokes are fun. The script is good, but very long, it could have been shortened. The environments are beautiful and typical Swedish. The movie is good for all taste, both for children and adults. If you like little odd comedies is this a movie you must see. I like the movie because it was good actors and it was so funny. The script was long, as I said before, but anyway it was good. This is a movie you remember well after you've seen it.
5 Reviews
Good old SBS!!
starvin4megravy5 January 2003
I first saw New Country in Europe, formatted as a movie over 2 hours long. Back in Australia, the wonderful SBS channel recently showed it in its intended form as a mini series of twice the length.
To cover the shorter version first, I thought this worked wonderfully as an always touching, often funny but largely conventional road movie. 40-ish Iranian Massoud witnesses one deportation too many at his refugee camp and decides not to wait around for his handcuff-assisted one way ticket.
Somali youngster Ali, habitually bedecked in Swedish flags and insignia and over whom Massoud keeps a brotherly eye, suffers no such disillusionment. "Sverige bro!" is his constant refrain, at least during his waking hours; in sleep, though, Ali is forced to relive the horrors that made him a refugee.
When Massoud makes to flee the camp in a spectacularly awful old car, Ali decides to join him on the run, an apt phrase from Ali's point of view, as he appears to display real talent as an athlete. Add one faded Miss Sweden, in the form of Louise - rescued at the roadside, fleeing a porno movie shoot - and the trio is established.
As with all road movies, the path they follow is emotional as much as geographical. There are fascinating encounters along the way and the resolution is satisfying.
The filming techniques used here give the appearance of a "fly on the wall" doco for much of the movie, with almost a Super 8 feel at times. These methods bring an edginess that is entirely in sympathy with the story being told.
If at all possible, though, try to catch the longer version. In this format, a far broader story emerges, in which we see that the director probably intended the title to be slightly more ambiguous than we first think.
Sure, Sweden is the "promised land" of Ali's and Massoud's hopes and dreams. Equally, though, we are shown some of the ways in which a new country is evolving from the monoglot, dare I say slightly insular, nation the outside world may lazily perceive Sweden to be. This cut finds the time to explore several shades of opinion and emotion on contemporary issues, from neo-nazi right through to selfless good samaritan. We observe the downtrodden preying upon the desperate, a tireless campaigner's wishes touchingly granted, a lecherous aging couple trying for one last thrill and - most heartwarmingly - kindness tending to win out over small-mindedness and spite. All that, and a royal visitation (of sorts) too.
Best of all, we get a lot more time to spend with Ali and Massoud. We see their relationship grow from that of two sorely mismatched players in one of modern life's dramas to true comrades who would sacrifice anything for each other. As in all such friendships, the pair teach one another a great deal, and as we bid them farewell we're left hoping this increased knowledge will help them through whatever challenges face them in the future.
The acting by the three main players, particularly Boysen and Almayehu is wonderful, with many fine supporting performances too.
To cover the shorter version first, I thought this worked wonderfully as an always touching, often funny but largely conventional road movie. 40-ish Iranian Massoud witnesses one deportation too many at his refugee camp and decides not to wait around for his handcuff-assisted one way ticket.
Somali youngster Ali, habitually bedecked in Swedish flags and insignia and over whom Massoud keeps a brotherly eye, suffers no such disillusionment. "Sverige bro!" is his constant refrain, at least during his waking hours; in sleep, though, Ali is forced to relive the horrors that made him a refugee.
When Massoud makes to flee the camp in a spectacularly awful old car, Ali decides to join him on the run, an apt phrase from Ali's point of view, as he appears to display real talent as an athlete. Add one faded Miss Sweden, in the form of Louise - rescued at the roadside, fleeing a porno movie shoot - and the trio is established.
As with all road movies, the path they follow is emotional as much as geographical. There are fascinating encounters along the way and the resolution is satisfying.
The filming techniques used here give the appearance of a "fly on the wall" doco for much of the movie, with almost a Super 8 feel at times. These methods bring an edginess that is entirely in sympathy with the story being told.
If at all possible, though, try to catch the longer version. In this format, a far broader story emerges, in which we see that the director probably intended the title to be slightly more ambiguous than we first think.
Sure, Sweden is the "promised land" of Ali's and Massoud's hopes and dreams. Equally, though, we are shown some of the ways in which a new country is evolving from the monoglot, dare I say slightly insular, nation the outside world may lazily perceive Sweden to be. This cut finds the time to explore several shades of opinion and emotion on contemporary issues, from neo-nazi right through to selfless good samaritan. We observe the downtrodden preying upon the desperate, a tireless campaigner's wishes touchingly granted, a lecherous aging couple trying for one last thrill and - most heartwarmingly - kindness tending to win out over small-mindedness and spite. All that, and a royal visitation (of sorts) too.
Best of all, we get a lot more time to spend with Ali and Massoud. We see their relationship grow from that of two sorely mismatched players in one of modern life's dramas to true comrades who would sacrifice anything for each other. As in all such friendships, the pair teach one another a great deal, and as we bid them farewell we're left hoping this increased knowledge will help them through whatever challenges face them in the future.
The acting by the three main players, particularly Boysen and Almayehu is wonderful, with many fine supporting performances too.
Touching, funny, great...
ost-41 August 2000
This must be one of the best Tv-series ever in Sweden. It perfectly catches the spirit of Sweden while it also features great personal portraits. The acting is supreme aswell as the directing, filming and writing.
The story is really an update of the classic romantic 'triangle' aswell as it is a roadmovie...interesting mixture? You bet!
The story is really an update of the classic romantic 'triangle' aswell as it is a roadmovie...interesting mixture? You bet!
Moving film about Refugees in Sweden fine script and acting
eroka21 July 2001
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't even know this was a mini series in Sweden... I saw it just as one movie, transferred to a 35 mm print It's about two refugees who flee their refugee shelter, where they wait for their application for asylum to be accepted, in hope to find some other way of making it in Sweden. Their adventures are many and they will meet both good and `bad' Swedes.
Acting is great by all, and even if Ali's character is annoying at first, it will grow on you. The ending is comfortably set, and as such is predictable (Ali will switch with Massoud to go to Canada while Massoud will remain with Louise), but this is not really important. The characters are very well written and the plot is never boring, definitely a good touch on Lukas Moodysson's part as one of the writers. Ali and Massoud parting is a real tear jerker and so their friendship is really what this film is about.
Acting is great by all, and even if Ali's character is annoying at first, it will grow on you. The ending is comfortably set, and as such is predictable (Ali will switch with Massoud to go to Canada while Massoud will remain with Louise), but this is not really important. The characters are very well written and the plot is never boring, definitely a good touch on Lukas Moodysson's part as one of the writers. Ali and Massoud parting is a real tear jerker and so their friendship is really what this film is about.
Touching, Funny.....Brilliant.
gibranm29 March 2002
I saw this series as late night movies and I was half asleep when it aired. When it finished it left me in tears that it ended the way and about the way it ended. We are being taken on a roller-coaster ride with two illegal immigrants in Sweden, one is a 40 year old Iranian man and the other is a 15 year old Somalian boy. Through this we are shown what friendship is all about as well as realising our dreams. I have my VCR ready to tape it next time it comes on.
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