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Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Europe's 'Ant and Dec but with brains' produce feel-good film of the summer
Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson are a Swedish television duo who have scored a big hit in the Nordic country with their film The Last Journey, which is now coming to the UK "We are the Swedish Ant and Dec, but with soul and brains. They would never be able to pull anything off like this." So claims Filip Hammar, who makes up half of the Nordic TV duo with his long-term pal Fredrik Wikingsson. It's likely that every European country has its own version of the comedy sidekick partnership - a trusted duo that can be airdropped onto Saturday night shiny floor shows at a moment's notice to deliver an evening of safe laughs. The reason Filip and Fredrik are making waves in the UK, or at least attempting to, is that they've recently broken out of their televisual moulds onto the silver screen. The Last Journey is their first feature film, which tells the story of Filip's relationship with his father Lars, a retired secondary school teacher who is struggling to throw himself into post-work life. Filip worries his father has lost the lust for life that burned so brightly during his younger years, and so decides to scoop him up out of his home in Köping (widely known as the most boring town in Sweden) and take him on a road trip. With light relief coming from the backseat in the form of Fredrik, the father and son head out of middle Sweden towards southern France - the destination of cherished family holidays of Filip's youth, and where Lars was in his anecdote-sharing, joke cracking pomp. The film proved a huge hit with the Swedish public, quickly becoming the most-watched documentary in the country's history and being chosen as Sweden's official submission for Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards. On its surface, the film is a classic road trip caper, filled with the kind of comic relief you'd expect from a caustic duo stuffed into an orange Renault 4 to cheer up an 80-year-old who seems a little lost in life. They employ their whole box of comedic tricks to do so, including staging an empassioned traffic spat for the benefit of Lars, whose steady Swedish heart has long loved the spiritedness of French road ragers. By the film also goes deeper. It is, at its core, an exploration of how one has to reinvent oneself post-retirement, and how relationships between adult children and their parents become more complicated as life goes on. For Filip, who goes to great, quite absurd lengths to carve out spaces in which his dad can relive his younger years and flourish, the journey taught him a powerful lesson. "It made me realise there is a value in just hanging out with him, even if he is sitting in a Belgian armchair at home. That is one of the important messages in the film. Now, I try to avoid talking to him in a certain way. We have more meaningful conversations now," Filip tells the Mirror from his home in America. Fredrik, who is talking on loudspeaker while, appropriately, on a long drive, adds: "We told ourselves, maybe this is going to work. Maybe he will get his zest for life back. Then we realised it would be more about his acceptance of a new life." Even though Fredrik has been on this journey with Lars and Filip, he is not prepared for his own version. He is not referring to the journey from Sweden to the Mediterranean, but to seeing his parents change in their later years. "I'm not prepared for it. You can think you are, but when it hits, it will, it will be devastating," he opines a little mournfully. The soulfulness of the duo, and how inappropriate the Ant and Dec comparison might be, comes through the more time you spend with Filip and Fredrik. "You cannot be prepared for it. It is the death before death. When you see your parents slipping away. It is quite common that you lie to yourself," Filip says. The Last Journey has connected with viewers in Sweden because of its exploration of this uncomfortable and universal truth, which is as funny and unflinching as it is tender and earnest. They hope that when it arrives in British cinemas on June 20, it will connect with viewers in the UK. "I am trying not to be cynical for once, and to embrace some real feelings. We are humbled about it, but our expectations are not that high," Filip admits ahead of the film's UK launch. Their big hope is that a significant chunk of the 45,000 Swedes living in the country turn up. If they don't, then perhaps Brits will find some joy in a particularly unusual but thoroughly uplifting road trip flick. Or at least some use in their top travel tip. "Wherever you go, try to experience the gas station culture of the country. In Italy, they are incredible," Filip advises.
Arab Times
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Al-Jarallah applauds ‘The Last Journey,' calls for more political freedom in Kuwaiti theater
KUWAIT CITY, April 6: The dean of Kuwaiti journalism and Editor-in-Chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers Ahmed Al-Jarallah (Abu Mishaal) chose to put down his pen for a while, and step away from life's concerns and the clamor of the press, perhaps in an attempt to ease the burden of the troubling news that weighs heavily on his mind day and night. Accompanied by media personality Saud Al-Farhan, Abu Mishaal attended the play 'The Last Journey', produced by artist Tariq Al-Ali and his partner Issa Al-Alawi, who warmly welcomed them at the Foroughi Theater. This visit marked Al-Jarallah's first trip to the theater in over 20 years. After the performance, which received widespread praise and applause, Al-Jarallah expressed his admiration for the artistic and visual quality of the play. Addressing the play's star, artist Tariq Al-Ali, Al- Jarallah said, 'If this is your theater, Tariq, go ahead and fear no one.' Despite his demanding schedule, Al-Jarallah found time to attend the theater, where he praised the direct approach and the political and social implications presented in 'The Last Journey'. He commended the play's exposure of corruption and corrupt individuals, which he sees as the essence of purposeful theater. In exclusive statements, the editor-in-chief of Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers Ahmed Al-Jarallah said, 'Kuwaiti theater was a symbol of leadership when it exported the cultural scene to all Arab countries.' Attention He affirmed that theater has always been an important indicator of societal issues, and the topics raised on its stage were given serious attention in many Arab countries. With his sharp political insight, Al-Jarallah attributed the long-term decline of Kuwaiti theater to previous National Assembly members, stating, 'Unfortunately, we went through a period of parliamentary chaos that led to the decline of theater. Some politicians exerted pressure on the Ministry of Information, imposed their views and silenced opposing voices.' He indicated that theater, being an important sector, is naturally affected by the political environment. Al-Jarallah expressed hope that Kuwait had moved past such political interference, noting that the theater's packed audience now serves as a testament to its relevance to the ongoing social and political revival in the country. He emphasized that the theater's role today is even more significant, as it reflects the current events and issues facing the nation. Regarding the influence of theater on public decision- making, Al-Jarallah stressed that theater plays a crucial and effective role. Citing Egypt's National Theater as a model, he revealed that in the 1960s and 1970s, the plays presented there influenced leaders like Jamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak to implement reform decisions for the country. Al-Jarallah recalled an encounter at Kuwait Airport with the late President Anwar Sadat, during which he asked Sadat if he had seen the play 'The Mule in the Jug,' which was being performed in 1967. The play, which accused the Egyptian government of being subservient to the Soviet Union, sparked controversy at the time. Sadat confirmed he had seen the play but denied any claim that the Egyptian government was subservient to the Soviet Union. Al-Jarallah said Sadat's response underscored the idea that theater and its content do reach the authorities, who, at that time, did not intervene to stop or condemn the performance. Censorship In conclusion, Al-Jarallah urged the Minister of Information and Culture, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and the Chair of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters to ease censorship on theatrical productions, and allow theater to serve its vital role in critically examining and diagnosing societal issues. He emphasized the need for members of the censorship committee to fully understand the vital role theater plays in shaping the country's cultural landscape. Such awareness would help revive the lost role of art critics, which has been absent for years. Al-Jarallah expressed his enjoyment of the theatrical performance featuring iconic artist Tariq Al-Ali, particularly appreciating the actor's critique of the decline in Kuwaiti sports. He highlighted how the play exposed the true nature of many who claim patriotism but reveal their true selves over time. Al-Jarallah praised the directorial vision and innovative techniques used in the production, which effectively served the overall theme of the play. In response, artist Tariq Al-Ali thanked Al-Jarallah for his attendance, stating that his presence at the Foroughi Theater was a direct endorsement of the theatrical movement and the efforts of theater artists in Kuwait. Al-Ali highlighted that this support is in line with the long-standing calls from artists for the press to play a more prominent role in backing Kuwaiti theater.
