Katarina is 20 years old. With a troubled past in a dreary suburb, her life seems to be already set in stone - until she discovers music. Everything changes when she hears a performance of Mozart’s 'Requiem' at the Gothenburg Concert Hall that sends her reeling and opens up a beautiful new world. She feels that she has to change her life and get as far away from her ugly reality as possible. But the path she has to follow proves to be a treacherous one, filled with lies, betrayal and a dangerous liaison with the married conductor Adam. Yet Katarina is ready to do anything to gain her new identity.
Acting
Vikander's rage and fragility in her first lead role.
Score
Mozart weaponized as emotional manipulation.
Direction
Langseth refuses to let you look away from destruction.
Director
Lisa Langseth
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Alicia Vikander's first leading role; she won the Guldbagge (Swedish Oscar) for it. Director Lisa Langseth later collaborated with her again on 'Euphoria.'
The film sparked debate in Sweden about class tourism in cinema—whether middle-class filmmakers can authentically depict working-class desperation without exploitation.
SE
