Midsommar (HBO) (released 2019)

About Midsommar (HBO)

"Midsommar" is a 2019 folk horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. The story revolves around Dani Ardor who, after enduring a family tragedy, travels with her boyfriend Christian Hughes to Sweden to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime midsummer festival. The seemingly idyllic retreat soon turns into a violent, bizarre nightmare as the insular villagers reveal their disturbing agenda.

Making / Production

Ari Aster had described the movie as “a breakup movie dressed in the clothes of a folk horror film.” It was primarily shot in Budapest in the summer of 2018. The production also made use of sound stages to create the intricate and realistic designs of the Swedish commune.

Actors

• Florence Pugh as Dani Ardor: Pugh expertly captures Dani's downward spiraling mental state.
• Jack Reynor as Christian Hughes: Reynor portrays Christian as an emotionally distant and deeply flawed boyfriend.
• Will Poulter as Mark: Poulter gives an unforgettable performance as the unlikable Mark.
• William Jackson Harper as Josh: Harper portrays Josh as a boyish academic who is ruthlessly intent on using the trip for his thesis.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The artwork seen in the village was all based on actual Scandinavian folklore.
• The fake language spoken by the villagers is based on the Swedish language.
• The film was so bright that Ari Aster actually used more lighting outside than he did inside.

Quotes

• "I was most excited for you to come."
• "So we just gonna ignore the bear then?"
• "That's why I drink. To remember."

Music, Soundtrack

• "The House that Hårga Built" - captures the pastoral simplicity of the village.
• "Chorus of Sirens" - evokes the sense of escalating tension and horror.
• "A Language of Sex" - articulates the bizarre and unsettling sexuality within the village.