Remembering cinematographer Sven Nykvist on his birthday

Raising a glass to cinematographer Sven Nykvist on his birthday with an interview, documentary and a few film clips. 

Reasons why we love Scott Walker: #83 – Japanese TV salute To Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman

Scott Walker condenses The Seventh Seal into a 5-minute pop song for Japanese TV in 1970. 

First Aid Kit draw on Swedish star power

To coincide with the digital release of First Aid Kit's new single Blue taken from the Mike Mogis-produced album The Lion's Roar (Wichita), Swedish sibling harmony duo of Klara and Johanna Söderberg have just issued a superb video clip for the song.

Beautifully shot by Scandinavian filmmaker Daniel Wirtberg, best known for his short subject and video work – most notably Little Dragon's Crystalfilm – the Blue video is built around the performance of celebrated Swedish actress Ewa Fröling whom some will remember from her international breakout role as Emelie in Ingmar Bergman's Fanny and Alexander and more recently playing Harriet Vanger in Niels Arden Oplev's superior Swedish version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo from 2009.

First Aid Kit will begin the North American leg of their current world tour in late July, hitting the Town Ballroom in Buffalo on July 30 on their way to Toronto for a show with hugely promising Shreveport singer/songwriter Dylan LeBlanc at the Danforth Music Hall on September 26.  In the meantime, have a look at Blue:

Blue by First Aid Kit