Filmstaden Råsunda in Solna - 100 years of film history

Facts about Filmstaden Råsunda

• Address: Greta Garbos väg 9 and 11-13
• Municipality: Solna
• Read more: You can find more information on Filmstaden's website and bion

Buildings on the site

• The porter's lodge: In the past, this cottage was manned around the clock, and the gatekeeper was assisted by two guard dogs.
• The administrative centre: The production management was based here. In the 1940s, over 400 people worked here.
• The laboratory building: All film was developed and copied in this building.
• The director's pavilion: In this small pavilion, the film directors had their workrooms.
• Small studio: All the classic silent films were filmed here.
• Backstugan: This house is almost a hundred years old and was once used as a staff canteen for those working in the Swedish film industry. The cottage has been used as a set in various films, including Intermezzo from 1936. It has long served as a restaurant.

Activities at Filmstaden Råsunda

Please note that many of the following activities may be cancelled during the pandemic. See the cinema and Filmstaden websites for up-to-date information.

• Bio: Film screening in three salons with the names Annalisa Ericson, Nils Poppe and Sickan Carlsson. 
• Events: Many different events are organised, such as film screenings, a film club, guided tours, story evenings, exhibitions, Film City Day, the Film City Christmas Market and sing-alongs.
• Activities for schools: School cinema and school tours.
• Audio guide: There is an audio guide that tells the story. The tour takes about 30 minutes and the audio guide can be hired at the Gatekeeper's Cottage during its opening hours.
• Friends of the Film City: Friendship association, where you support the association and receive discounts and invitations.

Service and catering

• The porter's lodge: Café with traditional waffles and cakes.
• The director's villa: Restaurant, conference and party (Ingmar Bergmans torg 1)
• Gift shop: Small shop with film posters, old films and more.

Find your way to Filmstaden Råsunda

• Municipal: Filmstaden Råsunda is located right next to Näckrosen metro station (blue line). There are also buses (search for the appropriate line on sl.se).
• Car: Drive towards Solna and Råsundavägen. Turn off on Greta Garbos väg.

The history of Filmstaden Råsunda

• Early 20th century: Svenska Bio and Charles Magnusson brought international film expertise to Sweden.
• 1912: Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström were hired as directors.
• 1917: Victor Sjöström's film 'Terje Vigen' premiered. The film was a great international success and ushered in a period when Sweden became a world leader in film.

1920s

• 1919-1920: The film city of Råsunda was built on land where there had previously been an ostrich farm (it was fashionable at the time to wear plumes in hats). The architect was Ebbe Crone, who used a 1920s classicist building style. The building contractor was Kreuger & Toll. On Ivar Kreuger's advice, AB Svensk Filmindustri was formed through a merger between Svenska Bio and Skandia in Stocksund.
• Autumn 1919: Even before the facility was completed, the first film was shot, 'The Driver' by Victor Sjöström.
• 1920s: Young extra Greta Gustafsson finally got a major role in 'Gösta Berling's Saga', written by Selma Lagerlöf.
• 1929: The first Swedish sound film, "Säg det i toner" with Elisabet Frisk and Håkan Westergren was recorded in Filmstaden.

1930s

• 1930s: The talkies were a big hit. Times were tough in Sweden, and people appreciated light-hearted uplifting entertainment such as so-called 'Pilsner films'. Actors during this period included Tutta Rolf, Sickan Carlsson, Nils Poppe, Thor Modéen and Anna-Lisa Ericson.
• 1934: Ingrid Bergman made her debut in 'Munkbrogreven'.
• 1936: Ingrid Bergman's breakthrough came in 'Intermezzo' against Gösta Ekman.

1940s

• 1940s: Ingmar Bergman made his debut. Other names from this period include Hasse Ekman, Gustaf Molander and Alf Sjöberg.
• 1944: The hit film "Hets" was released, directed by Alf Sjöberg from a script by a young Ingmar Bergman.
• 1945: Bergman directed his first film 'Kris', which has since been condemned as a disaster. He misbehaved and was fired from Filmstaden Råsunda, but after the success of 'Music in the Dark' he was welcomed back.

1950s and 1960s

• 1950s: Ingmar Bergman had many successes with films such as 'Summer with Monika', 'The Smile of the Summer Night', 'The Strawberry Patch' and 'The Seventh Seal'.
• 1954: The first colour film was shot in Råsunda. Gustaf Molander (who has directed over 50 films in Filmstaden Råsunda!) adapted "Herr Arnes penningar".  
• 1960s: New technologies and influences came along, and directors wanted to film in real environments. The studios were no longer suitable, and they were increasingly disturbed by increased traffic, buildings and aeroplanes.
• 1969: Svensk Filmindustri left Filmstaden and moved to smaller premises in Stocksund. Activities were greatly reduced, but films were still made.

Modern history

• 1970s: Major films during this period were 'The Emigrants' and 'Pippi Longstocking on the Seven Seas', which were partly filmed in the Filmstaden Råsunda. The National Stage School and Riksteatern used the premises for theatre.
• 1990s: Skanska bought the land to build housing, but the economic crisis put a stop to it. Meanwhile, the association 'Bevara gamla Filmstaden' worked to save the area. Production companies rented the premises and films were made again, such as 'The Glassblower's Child', 'Veranda for a Tenor', 'Bert - the Last Virgin' and the TV series 'The Archipelago Doctor'.
• 1999: The final films were produced at Filmstaden Råsunda. These were the children's film 'A Little Christmas Story' and 'Happy End'.
• 2001: The cinema opened.
• 2002: Since 2002, the Filmstaden Culture Foundation has been working to bring the film heritage of Filmstaden to life.