After a recommendation from her therapist, Agnes attempts to calm her anxiety through the growing of Icelandic poppies. However, in her attempt to do so, she unexpectedly befriends the young gardener, Asmund.

Interview with Writer/Director Anne-Sofie Lindgaard

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! Icelandic Poppies came about when I started thinking back on my journey with anxiety and some of the desperate attempts I would make when it was at its worst, to try and feel better - one of them being growing Icelandic poppies in my parents' garden. The film is personal to me, but it is also a more universal reflection on how important human connections are in times when it feels like you're losing a grasp of yourself because of mental health issues.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should watch this film if you're in the mood for a Scandinavian-style drama led by new exciting acting talent, in the form of Andrea Heick Gadeberg and August Issac Carter, with moments of lightness and dry, Danish humour also. It's a delicate film that I hope will both move you and make you smile.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

My work tends to draw on my personal stories. For Icelandic Poppies I've been lucky enough to have audiences tell me that they felt seen in this depiction because I went for a more realistic, down-to-earth approach instead of painting the darker picture of it. I wanted to tell a story about a dark subject matter in a lighter way, where there is also space for hope. In that way, even though the story is partly autobiographical and based on my life it deals with universal topics that many people can relate to.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

It was a bit atypical with Icelandic Poppies in the sense that it took me very little time to write the script once I got the idea, as well as it didn't go through massive changes from the first to the final draft. It seemed to really resonate with the people in pre-production reading it and so the final thing is very close to the first version of it that I wrote.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly great feedback from people feeling like the depiction we paint of what it is like living with anxiety feels extremely truthful to them and authentic. Audiences have also found it very delicate and subtle, which was exactly what I wanted to achieve. And then, of course, the Danishness of the piece, which people seem to love!

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I've been lucky with people really appreciating the film and talking to me about their own experiences with anxiety. That way it has been very beautiful receiving feedback because it has been overall positive and has made people feel comfortable enough to open up to me about their experiences. I guess even though the film is only partly based on myself, people can still sense that it is a film coming from a personal space which makes them feel like they've watched something sincere.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I'm hoping to get the film out to even more people!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The film has done its festival circuit for now, so, I would love for people to be able to access my film and simply just watch it. I am currently at film school where I will make more films, so perhaps someone will enjoy the film and want to follow my next steps.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

To me, I thrive off making films that make people feel seen. So if anyone watches this film and feels as if their own experience is seen, respected and portrayed truthfully, then I am happy.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently studying at The National Film & Television School in the UK, so I have plenty of short films coming up while I am at the school. I also still try and sneak a music video in here and there!

Interview: May 2024

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Icelandic Poppies

Length: 23:52

Director: Anne-Sofie Lindgaard

Producer: Coco Guldsborg

Writer: Anne-Sofie Lindgaard

About the writer, director and producer:

ANNE-SOFIE LINDGAARD is an award-winning Danish writer-director based in London. With an eye for subtle and emotive storytelling often based on personal stories, Lindgaard excels in bringing authentic narratives with strong performances to the screen. Lindgaard's talent has been recognized both nationally and internationally, with her short film Icelandic Poppies receiving widespread critical acclaim. The film was shortlisted for the prestigious Robert Award (Danish equivalent to Bafta/Oscars) and secured 'Best International Short’ at the Manchester Film Festival and the British Short Film Festival. Having also been named one of the ‘Best New Directors of 2023’ by Promonews, Anne-Sofie is already making waves in the music video scene, collaborating with established artists such as Marika Hackman and Orla Gartland. Anne-Sofie is currently enrolled on the renowned master's degree in Directing Fiction at The National Film & Television School/NFTS.

Key cast: Andrea Heick Gadeberg (Agnes), August Issac-Carter (Asmund), Line Kruse (Therapist), Johanne Milland (Florist)

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists

Instagram: @annesofielindgaardd

Website: Anne-Sofie Lindgaard

Other: Vimeo

Funders: Copenhagen Film Workshop, Girls In Film, Nyborg Kommune, Svendborg Kommune