“A welcome lightness of touch” (ScreenDaily) — See Cecilie Debell and Maria Tórgarð’s film Skál (Faroe Islands/Denmark, 2021), a documentary about youth, religion and love on the Faroe Islands, at Scandinavia House!
Twenty-one-year old Dania, who grew up in a Christian community in the Faroe Islands’ Bible belt, has just moved to Tórshavn where she is seeing Trygvi, a hip-hop artist and poet locally known as Silvurdrongur (Silver Kid). He comes from a secular family, and writes poems and texts about the shadow sides of humanity; Dania herself sings in a Christian band, but is fascinated by Trygvi’s courage to write brutally honest lyrics. As she tries to find her place in the world and understand herself, she starts to write more personal texts, which develop into a collection of critical poems called Skál (Cheers) about the double life that she and other youths must live in the conservative Christian world: A world she does not want to abandon, but to change. Where do you draw your lines when you are young and Christian? Is it a sin to drink or dance? Is it a sin to have sex before marriage?
Is it a sin to have a boyfriend who is not a Christian? And how long can you endure living between two worlds?
About the Directors
Cecilie Debell graduated as a journalist from Roskilde University in 2015. Since then, Debell has worked as an TV-planner and post-producer on documentary series for DR3, DR Ultra, and DRK, as well as developed entertainment programs for TV2. Her documentary film My Mother is Pink (2017) was selected for more than 10 international film festivals, including CPH:DOX and Sheffield DocFest.
Maria Tórgarð was born and raised in the Faroe Islands. She has worked with film production since 2014 and has directed several short films and music videos. Skál is Tórgarð’s debut as a documentary film director.
Protocols
This screening will take place in Victor Borge Hall; attendees are required to follow all Scandinavia House safety protocols, including wearing masks during the program and observing social distancing rules in signage. Please read our full safety protocols here. ASF is committed to providing an environment free from harassment or discrimination in the treatment of individuals and does not permit harassment or discrimination in any forms (whether racial, sexual, religious, orientation or others) within our building. Any visitors who do not abide by these policies will be required to leave. Read our our Non-Discrimination Policy here.