From an early age, 13-year-old Jill has been the primary caretaker for her younger brother and her troubled mother, a once-celebrated, mentally unstable artist. When her estranged father announces a surprise visit for her 14th birthday, the children receive a spark of much-needed hope, with the promise of escaping their suffocating household for a day in the brighter world outside. But as her mother’s mental condition takes a turn for the worse, and with the discovery that her father may be more interested in self-preservation than the welfare of his children, Jill’s dreams of stability become even more tenuous. 

Based on an original story written by director Camilla Strøm Henriksen in her feature film debut, Phoenix blends elements of fantasy and fairy tale with family melodrama, in this haunting tale of a teen coming of age in the midst of tragedy. (Norway, 2018)

“Camilla Strøm Henriksen’s impressive debut is an intelligent family drama refrigerated with horror-movie chills”—The Guardian

“Henriksen seamlessly moves the story from social drama, through fantasy elements, to grandiose lifestyles”—Cineuropa

Camilla Strøm Henriksen has appeared extensively as an actress in Norwegian films, TV and theatre productions. She studied at the London Film School and graduated with an MA degree in directing in 2004. She has since directed multiple episodes of the longest running series in Scandinavia, Hotel Caesar, as well as the drama series Hvaler. 

She’s currently developing a TV drama series and a feature film as the writer-director. Phoenix is her first feature film, and is based on an original story written by Henriksen.

Kicking off in coordination with International Women’s Day in March, ASF highlights strong new Nordic cinema from female perspectives directed by women in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

Britt-Marie Was Here /Britt-Marie var här—FRI—MAR 6
Aurora—FRI—MAR 13
That Time of the Year /Den tid på året—FRI—MAR 20
Gods of Molenbeek /Aatos ja amine—FRI—MARCH 27
Transnistra—FRI—APR 3
Agnes Joy—FRI—APR 17
Phoenix /Føniks—FRI—APR 24
Maria’s Paradise /Marian paratiisi—FRI—MAY 1
The Deposit /Tryggð—FRI—MAY 8
The Reformist — A Female Imam /Reformisten—FRI—MAY 15