The Swedish Torpedo (Swedish: Den svenska torpeden) is a 2024 biographical sports drama film directed by Frida Kempff. The movie stars Josefin Neldén as Sally Bauer, a Swedish woman famous for swimming the English Channel in 1939. The film tells her inspiring story of determination and courage during a challenging time, as she became the first Scandinavian to complete this amazing feat. It premiered in the Centrepiece section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
The story is set in the days just before World War II, where Sally Bauer, a 30-year-old single mother, fought against the expectations society placed on her. Despite all the challenges, she accomplished her dream of swimming the English Channel, a major achievement in history. The film features Josefin Neldén in the lead role as Sally Bauer, along with Mikkel Boe Følsgaard and Lisa Carlehed in important supporting roles.
Where was The Swedish Torpedo filmed?
The filming of The Swedish Torpedo started in August 2023. The movie was shot across multiple locations to bring Sally Bauer’s journey to life. The crew traveled to Sweden, Estonia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom to create the realistic and beautiful backdrop needed to portray this iconic story. Each location was chosen carefully to reflect the journey of Sally Bauer and the time period of 1939. Below, we will look at each of these locations in detail.
Sweden: A large part of The Swedish Torpedo was shot in Sweden, where the real-life Sally Bauer was from. Sweden played an important role in the movie, especially for scenes that focused on Sally’s early life and preparations for the big swim. The Swedish locations gave an authentic feel to the movie because they show the landscapes and environments familiar to Sally during her training days. The beauty of Sweden’s lakes and countryside helped to capture the atmosphere of 1930s Sweden. The use of natural Swedish settings allowed the filmmakers to stay true to Sally’s story.
Estonia: Estonia was another key location for the filming of The Swedish Torpedo. Estonia was chosen because it offered landscapes and water bodies that helped depict some of the practice swims Sally Bauer did before attempting to swim the English Channel. The coastal areas of Estonia provided a rugged and authentic setting that matched the tone of the film. Estonia’s natural beauty helped to create an immersive experience for the audience, giving them a sense of the challenges Sally faced in her journey.
Belgium: Some scenes of The Swedish Torpedo were also filmed in Belgium. Belgium was important for shooting scenes related to the historical events leading up to World War II. Since the film takes place in 1939, just before the war began, it was important for the filmmakers to find locations that reflected the tension and uncertainty of that time. The architecture and streets of Belgium provided a perfect backdrop for the scenes set in this period.
United Kingdom: The United Kingdom was one of the most important filming locations for The Swedish Torpedo. Since Sally Bauer’s biggest achievement was swimming the English Channel, many scenes were filmed near the English Channel to bring realism to this part of the movie. The filmmakers chose locations along the coast of the UK to represent the challenging conditions that Sally faced while attempting her famous swim. The rough waters of the English Channel, combined with the dramatic coastlines of the UK, added to the intensity of the film’s most important moments.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Swedish Torpedo
Q: Where was The Swedish Torpedo filmed?
A: The Swedish Torpedo was filmed in several locations across Europe. The primary filming locations include Sweden, Estonia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. Each location was chosen to authentically represent the landscapes and historical settings of Sally Bauer’s journey in 1939.
Q: When was The Swedish Torpedo filmed?
A: Filming for The Swedish Torpedo began in August 2023. The crew traveled to different countries during the production period to capture the key scenes in Sweden, Estonia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Q: When is the release date of The Swedish Torpedo?
A: The Swedish Torpedo premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024, where it was featured in the Centrepiece section.
Q: Who is in the cast of The Swedish Torpedo?
A: The cast of The Swedish Torpedo is led by Josefin Neldén, who plays the role of Sally Bauer, the Swedish woman who swam the English Channel in 1939. The film also stars Mikkel Boe Følsgaard and Lisa Carlehed in important supporting roles.
Q: What is The Swedish Torpedo about?
A: The Swedish Torpedo tells the inspiring true story of Sally Bauer, a 30-year-old single mother who, in 1939, became the first Scandinavian to swim the English Channel. The film follows her journey to overcome societal expectations and the challenges of this historic swim, set against the backdrop of the days leading up to World War II.
