19-25 January
2026
A visually stunning documentary about a small community that will soon be history.
A rumbling sound. Is it thunder? Or is it just the sports hall being demolished? It is as if time stands still in Malmberget – while it is simultaneously running out for the last remaining residents. For a long time, Malmberget has been in danger of collapsing into the enormous mines beneath the town. Now, The entire community is being dismantled and people relocated. The people must yield to industry, and the town to nature. Just as nature once had to yield to people when the community was built.
The residents of Malmberget live in melancholy over the people and community who once were, still they offer warmth and humor. The kaleidoscopic documentary Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Long Ago makes one reflect on our short time here on Earth, and questions what traces we leave behind. A captivating portrait of a community's last epoch, accompanied by outstanding visuals and soundscape — and beautiful music from Nils Petter Molvær.
Per Bifrost (b. 1987) and Alexander Rynéus (b. 1987) are a directorial duo from Dalarna, Sweden. They grew up together and studied documentary film at Biskops Arnö – Nordens folkehögskola (the Nordic Folk High School). Once You Shall Be One of Those Who Lived Long Ago is their fifth film together.
2019 Stekenjokk and the Guardians of the Eggs
2018 Giants and the Morning After
2014 Antonomous
2013 Malmberget – the Home and the Cavity
| Programme: | Films From the North - Features |
| Original title: | En gång skall du vara en av dem som levat för längesen |
| Director: | Per Bifrost, Alexander Rynéus |
| Country: | Sweden |
| Year: | 2025 |
| Run time: | 1h 33m |
| Dialogue: | Swedish |
| Subtitles: | English |
| Producer: | Andreas Emanuelsson |
| Age limit: | 15 |