Jimmie

Jimmie is four years old. His father assures him that he will see his mother, who has suddenly disappeared, again. Jimmie believes him; what toddler wouldn’t? Even when his nice life in Stockholm disintegrates even more, Jimmie continues to cling to the promises. To an adult’s hand, a friendly face, and his trusty cuddly toy.

In his fourth feature, Jesper Ganslandt (Falkenberg Farewell, The Ape) shows with great assurance and empathy how a child tries to survive in times of desperation and loss. Jimmie, with his long blonde hair and hip Fjällräven rucksack, is forced to flee Sweden in search of a secure future. The journey is long and hazardous. The question "What if it happened to us?" underpins the impressionist film Jimmie; with a simple reversal, Ganslandt brings the refugee crisis horribly close to Western European audiences. But this film also transcends its strong concept and is primarily a compelling, fascinating drama, superbly acted by Ganslandt himself and his young son Hunter.

Opening Film IFFR 2018.