EN 
ES 
By Juan Butten
I clearly remember the first time I watched Songs from the Second Floor (Sånger från andra våningen) on Netflix a couple of years ago. From that moment, I knew I had found a cinematic gem. This Swedish black comedy-drama, released on October 6, 2000, marks a milestone in the filmography of its director, Roy Andersson. With a budget of $5.5 million, it stands out not only for its story but also for its uniqueness in creation.
The film begins with a powerful image that lingers in the mind: a man in a subway car, dirty from soot, holding a plastic bag with charred documents. From that unsettling image, the narrative unfolds through various scenarios, presenting characters facing personal and existential crises. One of them is a man clinging to his boss’s legs after being fired, while another is an economist seeking answers in a fortune teller’s crystal ball. Each vignette becomes a critique of the frustrations and despairs of modern life, making me feel deeply connected to their struggles.
Andersson employs a distinctive visual approach that captivated me from the very first moment. With static shots and an almost theatrical aesthetic, he invites the viewer to contemplate each scene as if it were a moving painting. Furthermore, the film is infused with references to the poetry of César Vallejo, whose quotes serve as a thread that connects the different stories and adds poetic depth to the narrative.
The cast, which includes actors like Lars Nordh, Klas Gösta Olsson, and Bengt C.W. Carlsson, brings to life memorable characters who confront their own demons. Each performance contributes to a tone that is both melancholic and comedic, making even the most absurd situations feel poignant.
The reception of the film has been mixed. J. Hoberman from The Village Voice notes that Songs from the Second Floor “elicits more respect than enthusiasm,” highlighting Andersson’s vision as “distant.” However, Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times gave it four stars out of four, stating that while “you may not enjoy it, you won’t forget it.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received an approval rating of 89%, with an average score of 7.5/10, while Metacritic awarded it a score of 76 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews.”
For me, Songs from the Second Floor is more than just a simple dramedy; it is a profound social commentary that challenges viewers to reflect on their own lives and the absurdities of the world around them. Through its blend of dark humor and visual poetry, Roy Andersson creates a work that resonates long after the final credits have rolled. This film is the first in a trilogy that continues with You, the Living (2007) and A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence (2014), solidifying Andersson’s status as a master in exploring the human condition. Without a doubt, it is a cinematic experience I will carry with me always.
