Sanna Lenken: From Cappuccinos to Crystal Bears & the Art of Swedish Cinema

Sanna Lenken: From Cappuccinos to Crystal Bears & the Art of Swedish Cinema

🎧 Episode Overview:

In this episode of Television Times, Steve Otis Gunn reconnects with award-winning Swedish director and screenwriter Sanna Lenken. They reminisce about their early days working together in a London in the late '90s, before tracing Sanna's remarkable journey in the film and television industry. Topics include:

• Early Career Beginnings: Sanna and Steve reflect on their time working together in a coffee shop in the late 90s for £4 per hour, and how those experiences have shaped their creative paths.
• Award-Winning Films: Sanna's success after My Skinny Sister and Comedy Queen both won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
• Directing Thin Blue Line: Her role as the concept director for the Swedish police drama Tunna blå linjen, exploring the challenges of portraying law enforcement with authenticity and empathy.
• Representation in Media: The importance of diverse narratives and authentic portrayals in film and television.

This episode will appeal to lovers of international storytelling, budding filmmakers, and anyone curious about the unique voice and vision behind modern Swedish television and cinema.

🧑‍🎤 Sanna Lenken:

Sanna Lenken is an acclaimed Swedish director and screenwriter, born in 1978 in Gothenburg. She studied directing at the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts and has a background in theater and film production. Sanna gained international recognition with her debut feature film, My Skinny Sister (2015), which won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her subsequent film, Comedy Queen (2022), also received the Crystal Bear, marking a rare achievement. In television, she served as the concept director for the critically acclaimed series Tunna blå linjen (Thin Blue Line), known for its nuanced portrayal of police officers in Malmö.

🔗 Connect with Sanna Lenken:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• IMDb

📢 Follow the Podcast

Stay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Podcast: Television Times with Steve Otis Gunn

Host: Steve Otis Gunn

Guest: Sanna Lenken

Duration: 49 minutes

Release Date: November 1, 2023

Season: 1, Episode 27

All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis Gunn

Please buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You', available in all good bookshops and online

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.