Six gems from Sweden's independent cinema scene
Maddy Savage - [email protected]
Published: 24 Feb, 2016 CET.
Updated: Wed 24 Feb 2016 11:24 CET
The Oscars take place this weekend, so where are the coolest spots in Sweden to watch the world's best movies?
Taking over an old school, the Hagabion cinema in Sweden's second city specialises in showcasing indie movies from around the world as well as documentaries and short stories. Its restaurant, Hagabion Cafe is also one of the most popular vegetarian food spots in the city, while Bar Kino, on the same site, regularly draws a cultured crowd. There are three theatres in the complex.
Address: Linnégatan 21, Gothenburg
Tickets: Prices start at 80 kronor for adults, 60 kronor for students, children and pensioners
Website: http://www.hagabion.se/
Photo: Göteborg tourism
On the west coast of Södermalm island, recently voted Europe's hippest neighbourhood by Vogue magazine, Bio Rio is a small cinema with a big reputation. With just one main screen, it selects its movies carefully, with a frequent focus on films that promote gender equality or offer unique perspectives on global issues. Don't miss the Sunday morning breakfast club and look out for international festivals, many of which include foreign movies with English subtitles. There's a newly refurbished diner-style restaurant on site too and a sister bar with a mini-screen called Salong 4 just down the road.
Address: Hornstulls strand 3, Metro stop Hornstull
Tickets: Prices start at 110 kronor for adults, 90 kronor for students and pensioners, 60-80 kronor for children
Website: http://www.biorio.se/
Bio Rio's restaurant. Photo J.Wulff/Bio Rio
3. Kino, Lund
A hit with international students, Lund's low-key independent cinema is situated opposite the city's historic cathedral and dates back to 1936. After undergoing a major renovation in 2000, it now hosts two screens. There's no restaurant or bar here, but there are plenty of relaxed spots nearby and space for cycle-lovers to store bikes outside too.
Address: Kyrkogatan 3, Lund
Tickets: Prices start at 105 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students and pensioners, 70 kronor for under 20s
Website: www.kino.nu
Photo: europacinema.org
In the heart of the Swedish capital's glitzy Östermalm district, this friendly cinema offers a welcome break from the area's city-slicker bars and expensive restaurants. Zita regularly hosts screenings as part of the annual Stockholm Film Festival, one of the biggest art events in the capital and runs its own classes for film buffs. Cross the foyer to grab dinner or a snack at Babs Kök och Bar after you've had your culture fix, or enjoy a drink from their carefully-selected wine list.
Address: Birger Jarlsgatan 37. Metro stop Hötorget or Östermalmstorg
Tickets: Prices start at 100 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students and pensioners, 50-70 kronor for children
Photo: Holger Ellgaard/Creative Commons
This recently relocated cinema in Umeå, a European Capital of Culture in 2014, can now be found inside the city's iconic new cultural centre, Vaven, designed by award-winning Swedish architecture firm White Akitekter and Norwegian company Snöhetta. There's a 100-seater theatre as well as a smaller more intimate venue with just 35 places. In the same building you can also nestle down with a good book at Umeå city library, visit the Museum of Women's History or simply admire the views of the river Ume running alongside it.
Address: Västra Strandgatan 8A, Umeå
Tickets: Prices start at 95 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students, children and pensioners
Website: http://folketsbioumea.se/biljetter/
Photo: Sara Ingman/Image Bank Sweden
Midsommarkransen has quickly earned a reputation as the place that Hornstull hipsters move to once they start to buy their own properties or have kids and there is plenty of culture available for yummy mummies or latte-sipping pappas in this green suburb, south west of the city. Biocafe Tellus hosts literature nights and gigs as well as showcasing international movies. It is home to a great-value cosy coffee shop selling a range of cakes and sandwiches.
Address: Vattenledningsvägen 46, Hägersten. Metro stop Midsommarkransen
Tickets: Prices start at 65 kronor
Website: http://tellusbio.nu/besoka-tellus/
Photo: Biocafe Tellus
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Taking over an old school, the Hagabion cinema in Sweden's second city specialises in showcasing indie movies from around the world as well as documentaries and short stories. Its restaurant, Hagabion Cafe is also one of the most popular vegetarian food spots in the city, while Bar Kino, on the same site, regularly draws a cultured crowd. There are three theatres in the complex.
Address: Linnégatan 21, Gothenburg
Tickets: Prices start at 80 kronor for adults, 60 kronor for students, children and pensioners
Website: http://www.hagabion.se/
Photo: Göteborg tourism
On the west coast of Södermalm island, recently voted Europe's hippest neighbourhood by Vogue magazine, Bio Rio is a small cinema with a big reputation. With just one main screen, it selects its movies carefully, with a frequent focus on films that promote gender equality or offer unique perspectives on global issues. Don't miss the Sunday morning breakfast club and look out for international festivals, many of which include foreign movies with English subtitles. There's a newly refurbished diner-style restaurant on site too and a sister bar with a mini-screen called Salong 4 just down the road.
Address: Hornstulls strand 3, Metro stop Hornstull
Tickets: Prices start at 110 kronor for adults, 90 kronor for students and pensioners, 60-80 kronor for children
Website: http://www.biorio.se/
Bio Rio's restaurant. Photo J.Wulff/Bio Rio
3. Kino, Lund
A hit with international students, Lund's low-key independent cinema is situated opposite the city's historic cathedral and dates back to 1936. After undergoing a major renovation in 2000, it now hosts two screens. There's no restaurant or bar here, but there are plenty of relaxed spots nearby and space for cycle-lovers to store bikes outside too.
Address: Kyrkogatan 3, Lund
Tickets: Prices start at 105 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students and pensioners, 70 kronor for under 20s
Website: www.kino.nu
Photo: europacinema.org
In the heart of the Swedish capital's glitzy Östermalm district, this friendly cinema offers a welcome break from the area's city-slicker bars and expensive restaurants. Zita regularly hosts screenings as part of the annual Stockholm Film Festival, one of the biggest art events in the capital and runs its own classes for film buffs. Cross the foyer to grab dinner or a snack at Babs Kök och Bar after you've had your culture fix, or enjoy a drink from their carefully-selected wine list.
Address: Birger Jarlsgatan 37. Metro stop Hötorget or Östermalmstorg
Tickets: Prices start at 100 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students and pensioners, 50-70 kronor for children
Photo: Holger Ellgaard/Creative Commons
This recently relocated cinema in Umeå, a European Capital of Culture in 2014, can now be found inside the city's iconic new cultural centre, Vaven, designed by award-winning Swedish architecture firm White Akitekter and Norwegian company Snöhetta. There's a 100-seater theatre as well as a smaller more intimate venue with just 35 places. In the same building you can also nestle down with a good book at Umeå city library, visit the Museum of Women's History or simply admire the views of the river Ume running alongside it.
Address: Västra Strandgatan 8A, Umeå
Tickets: Prices start at 95 kronor for adults, 80 kronor for students, children and pensioners
Website: http://folketsbioumea.se/biljetter/
Photo: Sara Ingman/Image Bank Sweden
Midsommarkransen has quickly earned a reputation as the place that Hornstull hipsters move to once they start to buy their own properties or have kids and there is plenty of culture available for yummy mummies or latte-sipping pappas in this green suburb, south west of the city. Biocafe Tellus hosts literature nights and gigs as well as showcasing international movies. It is home to a great-value cosy coffee shop selling a range of cakes and sandwiches.
Address: Vattenledningsvägen 46, Hägersten. Metro stop Midsommarkransen
Tickets: Prices start at 65 kronor
Website: http://tellusbio.nu/besoka-tellus/
Photo: Biocafe Tellus
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