Scandinavian cinema’s dark, philosophical tone, frank dialogue, and unique humor tend to attract viewers. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of Nordic movies in this genre. The amount of Nordic content is very limited. However, there are still some films that can provide a Scandinavian flair to your life, particularly in the romantic drama category. Scandinavians are renowned for their mastery of drama. Below, we have listed some of the best Scandinavian romantic drama films that feature an older woman and a younger man.
Dreng (2011)
Dreng is a coming-of-age film that follows 18-year-old Christian’s summer job, where he is seduced by a 36-year-old single mother named Sanne. As he falls in love with her, he finds himself in the middle of complicated relations. The film runs smoothly, and the characters’ experiences and struggles feel realistic, as does the acting.
The Violin Player (2018)
The Violin Player is a film about love, passion, ambition, and music. Karin, a leading violinist, loses the sensitivity in her fingers after a traffic accident, leading her to go back into teaching. She falls in love with her almost 20-year-younger student Antti. The film is a guilty pleasure of the highest order, disguised as a prestige arthouse film. It is Finnish playwright Paavo Westerberg’s directorial debut.
Open Spaces (2018, Short)
Open Spaces is a Danish short drama romance film about Freja and Albert, who secretly love each other and live together. They are forced by a small, curious community on a distant Danish island to maintain their romance secret. There is a 21-year age difference between them.
All Things Fair (1995)
All Things Fair is a Swedish erotic drama film about a relationship affair between a teacher and her student in southern Sweden during World War II. The film features powerful performances and surprisingly well-drawn, nuanced characters, with Johan Widerberg delivering his best performance to date under his father’s direction. As Viola, Lagercrantz shows herself to be one of Sweden’s most versatile actresses. The director stages the film well, ensuring that we feel the presence of World War II throughout.
Queen of Hearts (2019)
Queen of Hearts is a provocative drama about Anne, a successful lawyer and doting mother who puts both her family and career at risk when she embarks on an affair with her young stepson. The film is raw and uncomfortable, showcasing Danish cinema at its best.
