Utopia had its first release in the summer of 2005, when it premiered at Hagabion, a highly respected theatre in Göteborg (Gothenburg). Hagabion shows quality films from around the world and often acts as one of the hosts of the Göteborg International Film Festival (GIFF), the largest film event in Scandinavia.

‘Utopia’ a different and special space story, directed by Thomas Strand and Anders Haraldsson, is about two women who become trapped in a small space capsule, as it floats in the extra terrestrial ether, with only a small chance of traveling the long distance to a successful landing on earth. What would people do if most of the Earth now became uninhabitable after our initial pollution and destruction?
After a significant increase in the temperature of the earth, the ensuing increase of desert land, and the shocking rise of the water levels in the oceans, the human race is forced into the largest adjustment in the history of the world. One must find a way to continue living in space while searching for other solutions to save what's left of the Earth. The survival of humanity is priority number one. New technology makes it possible to establish permanent space stations with large populations from all sections of the world. Human beings are challenged to create a perfect world, but in doing so, collateral damage occurs.
There is a deadly explosion on Embla, the mother ship. In the chaos aboard, there is fighting between different groups of people as they try to flee in the few remaining escape pods in the hope that they can at least reach Earth, instead of merely floating in space.
Two young women, Anno (Anna León) and Ona (Marie Callesen), manage to get into one of the capsules, and a journey begins that will never be forgotten. They face all their fears; they only have each other, a little hope of survival and of reaching Earth. They will experience what really makes us human, be forced to seek the truth, and also find a true friendship. But both their mental and physical situations are being threatened. They are running out of food. The capsule is not made to travel the long distance to Earth. Will they make it?
The story reflects and mirrors our world situation today through a sensitive interplay between the two women. There is a continuing battle between good and evil; while some fight to rescue and help, as others fight to destroy. How do we care for Earth? Or do we?


Interview with Anna León:

“June 2, 2013 – The Nordic Globetrotter Film Festival has taken place. Actress Anna León is featured with a selection of her films in this year’s annual event. ‘Polaroid’ and ‘What goes around…’ (‘Quien Mala Cama Hace…’), with director Gunnar Jönsson, and ‘Nathalie’ and ‘12/8’, with director Peter Franklin, were screened in the festival. How was it to work with these directors?”

Both of them are great directors. Gunnar has a very own unique imagery and metaphorical language; it is always exciting and a pleasure working with him. And Peter is a fantastically creative director that really wants to understand the perspective of the actor, he has a beautiful spirit.

“Coming from Sweden, a country far to the north, what do you think of the weather here in sunny southern California?”
I never think about sunny weather in that way actually, it’s nice, but it’s great when it rains a lot too, heavy rain, it makes me very creative in other ways as well, all seasons are unique.

“Tell me something more you like about LA?”

People are very interested here and the upbeat attitude makes it constructive and fun to communicate, I like that. And I love that you find very passionate people working very hard for good causes like in non-profit organizations, with fundraising and to have their voice heard for what they believe in. Something that is of great importance to me and that I greatly esteem and respect is the good will and good hearts of those people working with saving animals that need care, love and a new home. In many ways, dogs have been bred to be with man; hence, we have to be more responsible toward them. The way dogs and too many other animals on earth are treated is unacceptable and should be changed; we have to start to respect all animals; there is no other way. And there are still too few of us working on this cause, so the rest have to become more involved. We have to start to understand that the globe is not only intended for us; earth is intended for all living creatures to share.

“It’s said that the dog is man’s best friend. Do you have a dog?”

Yes, but all animals are our friends! [laughs] It’s true that dogs are very loyal. I adore my wonderful dogs; I can’t even pass by them without touching them, or cuddling and kissing them. The pureness and honesty of animals is so total, and they don’t have any secret motives or bad thoughts. Nothing gives us the right to hurt them.
Currently, I have two, one of them a rescue. I had been fostering another funny and adorable one, but we found the perfect home for her.

“It must have been life altering in many ways to move to another country.”

One sees different perspectives, different reactions both from others and oneself, (some unconscious), and in the midst of all that, one learns more about oneself. I noticed parts of myself to which I hadn’t given much attention before. It is a great source of inspiration for an actor.

“You are half Latino and half Scandinavian; your mother is from Colombia. What a great mix! How has it been to have two such different countries as your background? Do you speak Spanish fluently as well?”

Yes, I do. I have a wonderful Latin family on my mother’s side. It’s a big, warm and colorful family; they are all very hearty and expressive. Even though I wasn’t brought up there, we are very close and it’s a huge part of my identity. It’s been both a great contrast and very rewarding, throughout my life. Holding back versus not holding back, being talkative as opposed to being more quiet. My mixed background has also made me feel that I belong to everything and everywhere, but also, to nowhere completely. There is an interesting dynamic in that, for me, I can easily fit in and feel good anywhere, but at the same time, wherever I am, I’ve never been 100%. I feel it’s good to be flexible. It makes you observe and want to understand human behavior even more. And now, I also have a third culture that I’m melting into, here in America, as I add new dimensions. I find these differences fascinating.

“In Jönsson’s movie ‘Polaroid’, you play the role of Dolores, brought up as strict Catholic women, and in Franklin’s movie you play the role of Nathalie, an actress seeking for a break in her life and career. In these films you play two expressive and different women both searching for meaning in life. In what other ways are they similar?”

Both of these women are searching. They have reached a point in life where they find themselves lost. We are all seeking in different ways to be acknowledged in life, in one way or the other, regardless of profession, personality or upbringing. We all want and seek approval for who we are.

By Hildreth Simmons