Stockholm International Cinema Collective

On 21st April, we return to Bio Tellus for a special screening of one of the most talked-about Swedish films of the year: Mecenaten, the striking debut feature from Julia Thelin. As always, the film will be shown with English subtitles, and we’ll gather afterwards in Tellus' cozy café to meet, connect, and chat about the film together.

About the Film:
In Mecenaten, we follow Anna, a cleaner moving invisibly through Stockholm’s cultural elite, who one evening seizes an unexpected opportunity to reinvent herself. Pretending to be a wealthy art patron, she draws two young art students into an intoxicating game of identity, power, and illusion - a game that quickly spirals beyond her control.
With a minimalist setting and a tightly focused cast, Julia Thelin crafts what critics have described as an original and enigmatic drama, balancing psychological tension with sharp observations about class, ambition, and the art world.

The film has been praised for its confident direction, strong performances (particularly from Carla Sehn) and its ability to let meaning emerge through suggestion rather than explanation.
Premiering at the Göteborg Film Festival, Mecenaten quickly established itself as one of the most discussed Swedish films of the year. Hailed by some critics as a sign of "a new Spring for Swedish cinema", it stands out as a bold and intriguing debut, that invites audiences to question not only what is real, but also who gets to belong in the world of art and culture.

As we start to wind down SICC for Summer, we’re excited to head to the cozy surroundings of Bio Aspen once again on 4th May for a special screening of 'A Poet'. This quietly powerful and beautifully observed film won the prestigious äUn Certain Regard' prize at Cannes Film Festival, marking it out as one of the most distinctive and compelling films of the year.

As always, the film will be shown with English subtitles, and we’ll gather after the screening to meet, chat, and connect in Aspen’s relaxed and intimate setting.

About the Film:
A Poet is a tender and introspective drama that follows a struggling writer navigating the uncertainties of creative life, relationships, and identity. As he drifts between moments of inspiration and self-doubt, the film captures the fragile balance between artistic ambition and the realities of everyday existence.

With a gentle, observational style and a focus on small but meaningful moments, A Poet offers a deeply human portrait of vulnerability, longing, and the search for purpose. Its understated storytelling and naturalistic performances create a film that feels both intimate and quietly profound.