"LILLA MARIE" Feature Film Fundraiser

Log Line

Marie, convinced she’s dying, quietly leaves her picture-perfect family for a summer of recklessness and desire, running off with an enigmatic woman in search of meaning.

We Need Your help!

We’re a crew of film school graduates who are done waiting for the ‘perfect moment’ to make a film. With the resources, talent, and locations at hand, we’re ready to bring this film to life, with a little help.

Project Supported by Pawel Pogorzelski, the renowned cinematographer known for Midsommar (2019), Hereditary (2018) and Beau Is Afraid (2023).

Story

Sweden, June,1984. In the village of Dala-Husby, in the middle of nowhere, Marie (38) is a woman defined by everything that happens to her. She lives for others; mother to two beautiful daughters, wife to a once famous pianist. People often tell her she has the perfect life. She enjoys the pleasures of fitting in, the anonymity of mediocrity. Yet her mind swirls with unfulfilled desires. For impropriety, infidelity, freedom. She longs for an identity of her own but doesn’t know who she is.

One night, she dreams of her own death. When she wakes, she is convinced she has only a week to live. Freed by the certainty of an ending, she begins to act on her hidden desires. She runs away with a woman in the village, only to find herself slipping into old habits. The woman doesn’t love her, but her money. And Marie, even in the throes of desire, is still defined by what she gives.

Why This Film, Why Now?

In an age dominated by fast, disposable content, audiences are turning toward films that offer depth, reflection, and emotional resonance. Stories with stillness, like Call Me by Your Name, cut through the noise. Lilla Marie is a part of this shift, embracing subtlety, delicacy, and stillness.

Lilla Marie explores the quiet agency in choice. Marie longs to define herself beyond what she gives, while Fredrik, no longer needed in the traditional sense, struggles with a fading sense of masculinity. As gender roles blur and expectations shift, this film captures the quiet, human tension of seeking meaning, free from the weight of expectations.

Inspirational Works

Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle by Éric Rohmer.

Happiness by Agnès Varda.

The Dream of a Ridiculous Man by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Meet The Core Crew

Writer/Director: Rex Svensson is a queer writer and director from Thailand and Sweden and a graduate of Stockholms Filmskola. Lilla Marie marks his debut feature, following his short film Nude, soon available for streaming on U-Next. He has previously produced over 16 independent short films, many created with just a camera and his family, often set in his hometown. With experience filming in Bangkok, Stockholm, and this remote Swedish village, Rex is familiar with letting locations speak. Lilla Marie will be shot in a small town near Hedemora, one of Rex’s hometowns, grounding the story in a familiar, nostalgic setting.

Cinematographer: Gustav Sjölund is a Stockholm-based cinematographer with a passion for storytelling through visual language. He studied film theory at Stockholm University and later practical filmmaking at Stockholm Film School. He has worked on several award-winning short films - earning Best Cinematography honors in both Sweden and Canada. Besides his narrative work he has also worked as Director of Photography on numerous music videos and commercial projects. Gustav’s work is defined by a strong sense of narrative, mood, and atmosphere, putting emotion in the spotlight.

Executive Producer: Pawel Pogorzelski is an acclaimed cinematographer whose work spans a wide range of genres and styles. Best known for Hereditary, Midsommar, Beau Is Afraid, Nobody, and Blue Beetle, he has built a reputation for creating bold, immersive visual worlds. Born in Poland and raised in Canada, Pogorzelski trained at the American Film Institute and has since become one of today’s most sought-after talents in independent and studio filmmaking.

Executive Producer: Ella Jade Boberg (Von Pesso) is a filmmaker with a strong eye for storytelling and hands-on production work. She recently produced the short film Nude with director Rex, which was nominated for Best Film and Best Director at the Palma Japan International Short Film Festival. With experience from several short film productions and podcast projects, Ella knows how to take an idea and turn it into something real. She studied Practical Filmmaking at Stockholm Film School and Film Theory at Stockholm University, and her background in marketing gives her an edge when it comes to reaching and resonating with different audiences.

Executive Producer: Scott Newman is an award-winning author, podcaster, and entrepreneur. His literary debut, The Night Before the Morning After, won four first-place Firebird Book Awards and a Pencraft Book Award. His essays have appeared in Quillette, where he was an Associate Editor, as well as The Spectator and The Ski Journal.He graduated from Princeton in 2021, and is currently pursuing a master’s in the history of science, medicine, and technology at Oxford, where his research focuses on AI.

Soundtrack: Alex Pester is a British singer-songwriter and composer releasing under Stripy Jumper Records. Blending elements of folk, chamber pop, and lo-fi, his music is known for its warmth, emotional depth, and soft, melodic arrangements. With six albums to his name, including Better Days and I Won’t Give Up On You, Alex has a rare ability to craft intimate, cinematic soundscapes that feel both timeless and deeply personal.

Crew List:

Writer & Director - REX SVENSSON

Cinematographer - GUSTAV SJÖLUND

First AC - ADA HALLGREN

Sound - ALEXANDROS SAMMARAS

Production / Sponsors - NORTHLIGHT FILMS, MIRAKI JEWELS, FILM I DALARNA, MANTIKORA PRODUCTIONS (EDWARD HELLGREN)

Producer - ELLA JADE BOBERG

Associate Producer - CATERINA FANTI

Exec. Producer - PAWEL POGORZELSKI

Exec. Producer - SCOTT NEWMAN

First Assistant Director - SARAH SCHAEFER

Production assistant - MAR HERNANDO

Production assistant - LUDWIG ERIC CLAESSON

Costume - LEAH LOUISE HELLE WARAAS-FERNER

Makeup - KIM SVENSSON

Music - ALEX PESTER

Cast

We're aiming to cast top Swedish stars to elevate the film's impact and reach. Your support helps us secure the talent!

Poster

Made by the talented young artist, Kim Svensson.

Thank you for your support!