Photo: Thomas Atterbom

Over 30,000 Miséria movie tickets sold

The movie Miséria premiered in mid-September to packed houses in many parts of Sweden. The movie went straight to the top of the box office in 24 Swedish cities. With over 10,000 tickets sold during the first weekend of screenings, Miséria also topped the list of films seen at both Filmstaden and Svenska bio, which have more than two-thirds of the cinema market. By early November, the film had sold over 30,000 tickets.

Heart Magazine attended the gala premiere on September 12 and saw the film at the Rigoletto cinema in Stockholm, Sweden's premier gala cinema. Two days before, the premiere was in Malmö, then in Gothenburg and then in Stockholm where all the actors were also present. At the front of the theater, actor Mikael Persbrandt sat with a box of popcorn, watching the movie and seeming to enjoy himself. Celebrities such as Özz Nûjen, Paolo Roberto and Anna Book were also present.

- "I felt at home," said Mikael Persbrandt after the gala screening of Rigoletto, giving the film ten points out of ten.

In the movie, Ola Rapace plays the gang leader Chicago in such a believable way that you gasp for breath and then - after watching the movie - breathe a sigh of relief when you see that Ola is actually sitting alive in the front row of the theater, after all the drama that has unfolded on the screen.

Photo: Jari Kantola

The film targets young people in Sweden's suburbs with the aim of showing the downside of criminal life to motivate them to choose a different path. The film shows that a life of crime means debt, addiction, prison and misery. After the premiere, Sebastian Stakset made no secret of the fact that the filming had been tough. Reliving the hardships of his old life was so traumatic and painful that Sebastian relapsed. 

- "A real hero is someone who gets up after falling," Maria Viklund of Heart Film told Sebastian after the film had been premiered and all the actors had introduced themselves on stage.

In connection with the movie's premiere, Sebastian Stakset visited a number of TV sofas, radio studios and podcasts to talk about the film. Reporter Katarina Gunnarsson of Swedish radio's P1 Morgon interviewed Sebbe Stax 15 years ago when Kartellen posed with guns in videos and glorified a criminal lifestyle in their songs. On September 6 this year, 15 years later, they met again and talked about Jesus, gangster rap and saying sorry. In the interview, which was also broadcast on Studio Ett, she reacted to the fact that Sebastian had changed.

- You have completely different eyes now. It's quite strange. You have a completely different look than when I met you in custody," said Katarina Gunnarsson.

- That's what happens when Jesus moves into the heart. Then the hatred disappears," answered Sebastian Stakset.

Help us get the message out in Sweden, work to prevent crime, and show young people the dark side of gang life. Book a screening for your church, company or school. You will also help spread the film and finance the project.

To book: Email maria@heartfilms.se

Sebastian Stakset told host Alexander Pärleros in the Success Podcast this October about the feeling of realizing that you can be forgiven.

- It does something to a person. That's what helped me get out of there," he said, explaining how he was able to leave behind the guilt and shame he felt because of his old life.

"It was heavy. What a life. What darkness" said the host about the movie Miséira and was echoed by Sebastian:

- They are what life is all about. Darkness, fear, hatred, dread.

Heart Film's project manager Maria Viklund says that the reactions from many of those who have seen the film have been that this is a frighteningly topical subject and an important film.

- The aim of the film is to meet those who are on their way into or trapped in gang crime and show the flip side of that life and that there is a way out. We must not turn a blind eye when people are suffering," says Heart Films project manager Maria Viklund.

- After a major struggle during production, it was a great victory at the finish line. The movie did better than expected. Over 30,000 tickets sold, the same number as other films with a much bigger budget and stronger marketing.

- We have also received text messages from people who have been deep in the darkness and seen the movie and had hope. For Christians, it has been more like an eye-opener. The media attention around Sebastian's story has been very high. The continuation of the movie is Sebastian's own situation today, where he lives saying: "Here I am today. Jesus has transformed me".

- The transformation that those of us who have followed him closely have seen has thus also become public. 

When the film was shown in Parliament, Sebastian Stakset, Flavia Perez and René Lobos told around 40 MPs from all parties that there are solutions to gang violence.

- It is not so common to highlight the hopeful aspects of these issues. Even though the film is called Miséria, the final message is that there is a way out of poverty," says Maria Viklund, who says that the film can also be used by parishes to reach out to vulnerable areas.

Photo: Thomas Atterbom

- It also serves as a wake-up call for ordinary Swedes to realize the tough conditions under which Swedish youth live.

Sebastian Stakset himself says he is committed to "paying back" to society by doing good.

- I wouldn't be alive now if it wasn't for people responding to my cry for help. So yes, I feel it is my duty to keep doing what I am doing. There are many people in need out there, but there are not as many who are ready to answer their call for help.

 - We made this film for all those who are suffering out there, for all those who are stuck in a destructive life situation and all those who long for hope," concludes Sebastian Stakset.

Text: Ruben Agnarsson

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