SYNOPSIS
A family gathers for a birthday dinner, but an unexpected discovery leads to revelations that put their relationships to the test.
THE DIRECTOR
Originally a professional dancer and choreographer, Michael’s passion for film began as a “plan B” but quickly took center stage. From filming dance classes, he quickly grew into directing music videos, commercials, and short films—while also assisting world-renowned directors such as Niklas Larson, Harmony Korine, and Tom Kuntz, thereby becoming a trusted and highly valued team player.4.
As a director, Michael offers a distinctive vision, seamlessly blending movement and emotion on screen. His eye for movement allows him to create a dynamic interplay between camera and choreography, transforming physicality into a powerful storytelling tool. Yet, as seen in Malin & Oskar and his other shorts, his creative range extends far beyond choreography.
He’s represented by B-Reel Films as a commercial director. In 2025, he wrapped four short films now on the festival circuit. In parallel, he’s developing a TV series and a feature with B-Reel’s
drama division.
Known for his social ease and warm presence, Michael brings energy and positivity both on and off set. And if you ever find yourself with him and a PC, be warned: he might just remind you why he was once a world-class, top-ranked
e-gamer.
DIRECTOR'S VISION
With this film, I wanted to explore a new way of working. That is why the script was initially left very open, giving the actors the freedom to interpret it. My aim was to develop the film together with them through workshops, building on their performances within a framework and narrative I had prepared.
Not giving them all the pieces of the puzzle was an attempt to let the film take shape through their natural reactions to the surprises I threw at them. All the key story beats were in place, but I also left room for the actors to explore the characters I had given them.
I believed what I was aiming for would emerge naturally through the direction I gave them. Working this way also opened the door to other possibilities and potential scenarios I hadn’t considered. After several rehearsals, we arrived at a finished script, shaped through this collaborative process.
The decision to shoot this as a oner was there from the inception of the idea.
I wanted to explore how tension and pacing could be built and controlled without the power of editing.
Through this project, I learned the upsides and downsides of shooting a oner. It has incredible potential to really grab the audience, but it also introduces some interesting problems you wouldn’t normally think about. How do we get this actor from A to B without boring the audience? How do we get the camera (and operator) through this window? And then there’s a whole bunch of questions about the logic of the script that I don’t even want to get into, haha.
— Michael Sjösten, director
THE PRODUCER
Arcadia has a background as a music producer, and it was in music that her love of creating together with others was born. Music videos became an obsession, and her path led on to writing and an internship at a record label, where she led campaigns for artists including Dizzy Fae and Vilhem Nordvall. Since 2023, she has run the collective Zaleh, which works with creative direction and social media strategy.
Den där jävla dagen is her debut as a film producer.
THE CREW
Director: Michael Sjösten @michaelsjosten
Producer: Arcadia Hugosson-Miller @arcadia_lillian
Director of Photography: Lucas Wallenberg @lucas_wallenberg
Stylist: Malin Hallgren @bob__malin
Set designer: Rasmus Alexander @rasmusalexander2.0
Set designer assistant: Anna Cook @annarkiv
Set designer assistant: Eline Van Der Meer @elvem_design
Make-Up Artist: Kassandra Muñoz Godocito @caassie
Make-Up Artist Assistant: Aaliyah Mora Melo @aaliyah.mora.melo
1st AD: Peter Johansson @djyret
2nd AD: Tobias Eghtesad @tobiastvfilm
Gaffer: Carl Erskine @carlthelightguy
Electrician: Victor Ekström @v2cinestyle
1st AC: Arnar Hlíðberg @arnarhlidberg
2nd AC: Marcus Fältmark @marcusfaltmark
Grip: Daniel Chantre @daniel_chantre
DIT: Anton Jacobsson @antonjacobsso
Intimacy Coordinator: Sara Arrhusius @sara.arrhusius
Sound technician: Abraham Willey @abrahamwilley
Production assistant: Jonathan Hesse @jonathancwhesse
CAST
Sandra: Lovisa Bengtsson @bengtssonlovisa
Victor: Einar-Hugo Strömberg @einarhugo
Peter: Johannes Kuhnke @johannes_bah_kuhnke
Camilla: Sara Nygren @nygren_sara
Tim: Tiam Miladi @tiam.miladi
Director’s assistant: Simon Löfgren @simon_oskar_lofgrennnn
Editor: Anton Jacobsson @antonjacobsso
Colorist: Jonatan Qvist @jonatan.qvist.colorist
Sound design: Christian Baringe @laurenkrask
Sound mix: Calle Buddee Roos, Ponytail @buddeeroos @ponytailsound
VFX artist: Roger Hallin, Gangsters @rhawger @
Post Producer: Magnus Strömfelt, Gangsters @stromfelt
Online & VFX: Rajdarn Eldorado, Avec @avecpost
Post Producer: Louise Ahrén, Avec @louiseahren @avecpost
Distribution: On Nox Pictures @onnoxpictures
Still Photographer (Poster): Cornelia Wahlberg @corneliawahlberg
Composer: Kets Alexius Eklund @alexius.mp3
Graphic Designer: Malte Wikström @maltewikstrom
Special thanks: Daniel Forsvik, Slutet Takeout, Ponytail, Gangsters, Gustav Larsson, Ebba Bergström, Ljud och bild media, Hyper Island, Terese Särström, Lene Särström, Fiona Miller, Bianca Holm, Roots Café.
BEHIND THE SCENES
