In Under the Pavement – The Beach, Henrik Hellström returns to the experimental storytelling seen in his debut film Burrowing (2009). The film follows Tott, who leaves university life to live in self-imposed isolation, raising his sons through role-playing games. When Tott, now elderly, calls his grown sons together for one last adventure, their lives are upended by encounters with characters like an HR manager refusing to go to the office, an aggressive private school teacher, and an unhelpful security guard. These interactions illuminate not only the characters’ lives but also the insecurities of Tott and his sons. Hellström crafts a surreal portrait of people struggling to navigate the complexities of modern society, offering a sharp reflection on a world in crisis.

The screening begins with a performance, and the director and actors will be present.