Comedy Queen

“Mom, you always cried. And then you died. Now everyone else cries. But not me. I refuse to cry. I don’t want to be like you. I don’t want to be depressed and die.”

Sasha doesn’t want to cry. She’s deeply angry at her mother for taking her own life. To escape a similar fate, the 13-year-old compiles a survival list. First up: cut off her long hair. Second: don’t read any more books. Third: never take care of something that's alive. And fourth: become a stand-up comedian to make her papa laugh again. On her way, Sasha can count on the support from friends and family, even if they can’t always follow her moves, like when she tells one of her bad jokes. Sanna Lenken once again demonstrates a sensitive feeling for the emotional life of her protagonist and allows grief and anger to be transformed by real humour, and an old earworm.
by Sanna Lenken (Director), Linn Gottfridsson (Screenplay)
with Sigrid Johnson, Ellen Taure, Oscar Töringe, Iggy Malmborg, Adam Daho
Sweden 2022 Swedish 93' Colour recommendation: 10 years and up

With

  • Sigrid Johnson (Sasha)
  • Ellen Taure (Märta)
  • Oscar Töringe (Abbe)
  • Iggy Malmborg (Ossie)
  • Adam Daho (John)

Crew

Director Sanna Lenken
Screenplay Linn Gottfridsson based on the novel “Comedy Queen” by Jenny Jägerfeld
Cinematography Simon Pramsten
Editing Andreas Nilsson
Music Irya Gmeyner, Martin Hederos
Sound Design Andreas Franck
Sound Jesper Miller
Production Design Marika Åkerblom
Costumes Emelie Henriksson
Make-Up Daniela Megarelli
Casting Catrin Wideryd
Assistant Director Ted Jönsson
Production Manager Denise Carlford
Producers Rebecka Lafrenz, Anna Anthony
Co-Producers Peter Possne, Yaba Holst, Charlotta Denward, Anna Croneman
Co-Production Film i Väst Trollhättan
SF Studios Stockholm
Sveriges Television Stockholm

World Sales

REinvent Studios

Kopenhagen, Denmark

Produced by

FLX

Stockholm, Sweden

Banker White

The work of the interdisciplinary artist and filmmaker ranges from a focus on war and disease to the complex dimensions that surround ageing and death but is unified by a compassionate humanism. His projects have been supported by organisations including the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Creative Capital, Bertha Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation and Tribeca Film Institute.

Filmography (Filmography)

2007 All Stars; documentary 2014 A Marriage to Remember; short documentary · The Genius of Marian; documentary, co-directed by Anna Fitch 2018 Survivors; documentary, co-directed by Anna Fitch 2026 Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird); co-directed by Anna Fitch

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026