A young man takes a mysterious and moving journey.

Director’s Comments

“My intentions were to make an intimate film about a small, yet momentous meeting between two strangers. A news article in the tabloids inspired me to write the story. I was fascinated with the idea of how one person’s generous sacrifice can have such a significant and positive consequence for another. In the close to non-existent Swedish independent film community, I’m especially grateful for the generous support and talent I was given on this personal film.”

Johan Brisinger – Writer/Director

Johan was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, the younger of two brothers. As a child, Johan spent a great of time in England, picking up an interest in the English language and fascination with moving pictures. He discovered black and white photography and 8-millimetre film, and began making elaborate home movies while still in grade school. In 1984, Johan entered the School of Cinema-Television at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles. After graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree (BA) in 1989, Johan worked as an assistant editor at Warner Bros. and other companies. Wanting to make the leap to directing, he took his student reel and an independently produced short film home to Stockholm where he began his career as a commercial and music video director in the fall of 1990. As an episodic television director at Sweden’s National Television Channel One, Johan was assigned to direct the pilot of a new police drama series in 1996. After a few years of successful directing for the Scandinavian market, Johan was catapulted into the international scene with an assignment by the London advertising agency BBDO for the magazine THE ECONOMIST

Johan’s international career has continued to expand over the past five years and his recent work includes advertising campaigns and music videos made for DDB Chicago, Publicis Paris, Lowe Brindfors in Stockholm, Dreamworks Records in Los Angeles, Citron/Hegelman/Bedecarre in San Fransisco, Saatchi in New York, BBDO Oslo, McCann Warsaw, Sony Music in Stockholm and V2 records in London. In the 2000’s Cannes advertising film festival, Johan’s striking PSA campaign for Road & Safety, through BBDO OSLO, was awarded a prestigious Short List nomination. Johan is based in Stockholm, where he lives with his wife and two young children.

Mikael Flodell – Producer

Mikael was born in Obera, Argentina. Raised and educated in Stockholm, he moved to Los Angeles in 1991 where he worked for a number of years as producer of commercials, music videos and documentaries.

In 1996, Mikael returned to Stockholm where he founded Modfilm & Co, a leading production company for the Scandinavian advertising market. Its creative campaigns were given awards at Cannes advertising film festival, the New York festival, London’s D&A.D, and Cresta among others.

In 2000, Mikael formed his own production outfit Flodellfilm to further his ambitions to move into the dramatic market.

Passing Hearts marks Mikael’s debut as producer of a short film. In collaboration with director Johan Brisinger, the company has several feature film projects in development.

Max Enderfors – Daniel

Max is a sophmore at Saint Erik’s High School in Stockholm where he majors in drama. Apart from active roles in various school drama productions, Max is currently playing the lead in a new Swedish feature, POPULAR MUSIC FROM VITTULA based on the bestselling novel.

Angela Kovacs – Eva-Lena

Angela was educated at the Gothenberg University’s Dramatic Acting School. She began her acting career at Gothenberg’s Stadsteater, performing in KING LEAR, Edward Albee’s THREE LONG WOMEN, and Lars Norén’s THE CLINIC, among others.

Angela has acted in several dramatic series at Swedish National Television, as well as starring in Colin Nutley’s latest feature PARADISE.

At the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm, Angela has been a member in the ensemble of David Hare’ TEN EXAMPLES, Strindberg’s EASTER and RUS, among others. As the role of Regine Engstrand, Angela performed in Ingmar Bergman’s critically acclaimed production of Ibsen’s GHOSTS.

Jan Mybrand – Lennart

Jan is a tenured member of Stockholm Stadsteater’s ensemble, having participated in Cyrano de Bergerac and DEATH OF A SALESMAN, among others. His numerous screen credits include Bille August’s acclaimed JERUSALEM, Colin Nutley’s HOUSE OF ANGELS, BLACK JACK, and THE BOMBER, among others. kicki bramberg – Mother Kicki was educated at Malmo’s School of Drama in southern Sweden. In 1984, she became a tenured member of the ensemble of the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm. She has performed in Ingmar Bergman’s acclaimed productions of Strindberg’s A DREAM PLAY, MISS JULIE, Arthur Miller’s LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Ibsen’s PEER GYNT, and Euripides THE BACCHAE, among others.

Technical Info
Format: 35 mm, Cinemascope 2,35
Color: Color
Running time: 15 minutes
Sound: Dolby digital
Language: Swedish with English subtitles

Alpinale European Film Festival
2004 Won Golden Unicorn
Professional Short Film
Johan Brisinger

Berlin International Film Festival
2004 Won
Panorama Audience Award
Best Short Film Johan Brisinger

Awards list

Berlin Film Festival, Audience award Panorama section

Aspen Film Festival, Audience award & best cinematography

Lilla Film festivalen, Båstad, Sweden, Humanitarian award

Chicago International Childrens Film Festival 2nd price from the adult jury in the category Live Action short film or video.

19th Brest European Short Film Festival two prices, audince award from the young jury and Prix Européen du Conseil Régional de Bretagne.

Odense film festival, the journalist prize

Cleveland Film festival, humanitarian award

Arciplago International film festival, best short

Deep Ellum Film Festival, best short drama

Alpinale Film festival, Austria, won best professional film

Danville International children’s festival, best foreign short film