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Night Games

Logline:
A tormented child escapes into fantasies to save his alcoholic father and salvage his shattered family.

Short synopsis:
While the mother cries at night, because the alcoholic father never comes home from his constant gambling, a young boy escapes into fantasies of rescuing his father from his intoxicated companions and helping him home.

  • Emil T. Jonsson
    Director
    The Man Who Wouldn't Cry
  • Björn Boström
    Writer
    The Man Who Wouldn't Cry
  • Emil T. Jonsson
    Producer
    The Man Who Wouldn't Cry
  • Björn Boström
    Producer
    The Man Who Wouldn't Cry
  • Dylan Kjellin
    Key Cast
    "Samir"
    Scener efter ett äktenskap, Miniagenterna
  • Simon Mezher
    Key Cast
    "Farhad"
    Kalifat, Taelgia
  • Josephine Wistedt
    Key Cast
    "Zara"
  • Petter Bülling
    Director of Photography
  • Olivia Asplund
    Production- and Costume Design
    Snabba cash, Sommaren med släkten
  • Peter Nylander
    Music
    Svartenbrandt
  • Anton Nilsson
    Editing
    Fiktiv granskning, 2nd class
  • Cora Watson
    Casting
    Världens värsta kungar
  • Niklas Björklund
    Sound Design
    100 årstider
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Nattlekar
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    Sweden
  • Country of Filming:
    Sweden
  • Language:
    Swedish
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini LF | 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 43rd Uppsala Short Film Festival
    Uppsala
    Sweden
    October 27, 2024
    National premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • FilmCentrum (Fokus Film)
    Distributor
    Country: Sweden
Director Biography - Emil T. Jonsson

A Swedish-half-Iranian director with a lot of creativity and heart; and a 20-year background as an actor, producer, teacher in film & theatre.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Beyond the strength of the original short story,

Night Games (Nattlekar) serves as a reflection on my upbringing in a Stockholm suburb. Much like the protagonist in the story, I too navigated the complexities of a dysfunctional family inundated with alcoholism and mental health issues.

Throughout this film, I aim to cast a comforting light upon 'dandelion children' — children who, like dandelion flowers, grew up amidst and in spite of adversity. I intend to illuminate their existence, dismantle stigmas surrounding challenging family dynamics, and foster a deeper understanding on the effects of children's immediate surroundings.

My hope with this film is to contribute to a broader conversation on empathy and the transformative power of imagination in our lives!

Emil T. Jonsson
director, producer