Drifting in Silence
About the film
When the pilot of a private jet collapses mid-flight, a lone passenger with no experience must take control, or die trying. But the crash is only the beginning.
Emma, a lead researcher on the verge of a breakthrough against antibiotic resistance, faces an impossible choice: miss her daughter Wilma's fourth birthday to protect a discovery that could save thousands of lives—or let years of work collapse. Her marriage already strained by her absence, she boards a private jet, knowing the decision may cost her family.
Mid-flight, the pilot suddenly collapses. With no flying experience and no one else on board, Emma must take control of the aircraft. Her desperate attempt to land leads to a crash deep in the vast wilderness of northern Sweden. Injured and alone, she must navigate ancient forests and treacherous terrain, confronting both nature's indifference and her own fragility.
As days blur and hope fades, Drifting in Silence becomes a meditation on endurance, sacrifice, and the fragile balance between ambition and love. Stripped of dialogue and distraction, the film immerses the viewer in one woman's confrontation with isolation and meaning itself. Visually intimate yet expansive, it captures the stark beauty of the Scandinavian landscape and asks: what do we truly live for—and what are we willing to die for?
Directors's Statment
Drifting in Silence began with a simple question: what would you do if you were left alone on an airplane? That premise—universal, primal, immediate—became a way to explore something deeper: how we choose to spend our limited time on earth, and what we are willing to sacrifice in pursuit of meaning.
I grew up in Dalarna, surrounded by ancient forests that are slowly disappearing. I wanted to capture what remains—not as a backdrop, but as a character. The wilderness in this film is both beautiful and indifferent. It doesn't care about human ambition; it simply exists, as it always has.
This is a film about survival, but not in the usual sense. It's not about conquering nature—it's about rediscovering connection. Stripped of work, technology, and control, Emma must confront the questions we all avoid: What am I living for? What have I been running from?
From the beginning, I wanted the film to feel honest. We didn't rehearse to perfection; we trusted instinct. I wanted to make a film that trusts the audience—where some things are earned through attention, not explanation.
Drifting in Silence reflects the distance between who we are and the world that sustains us. Emma's crash forces her to stop running and start seeing. I hope audiences leave the theatre in silence, carrying the film with them—not as entertainment, but as a question that lingers.
— Tom Grejs
Writer/Director
Production Notes
Drifting in Silence was produced independently by Dales Studios, a newly founded production company based in Dalarna, Sweden. The film marks both the feature debut of writer-director Tom Grejs and the studio’s first feature film. Behind the company are producers Tom Grejs and Martin Flink, who together have directed and produced over 200 commercials and short-form projects over the past 15 years.
Shot over 20 days at Skavsta Airport and in the remote forests of northern Dalarna, the production embraced a minimalist approach—natural light, real locations, and a single lead performance to preserve authenticity. Every element was designed to draw the audience into Emma’s isolation and struggle.
The film was produced in collaboration with Film i Dalarna and assosiation with Högskolan Dalarna, with cinematography by Martin Flink (Karin & Carl Larsson, Nobellporträttet – Annie Ernaux), sound design and mixing by Martin Sandström (Trevlig Folk, Återträffen), and an original score by Jenny Waldemarsson.
Magdalena Sverlander (Fackham Hall, Jason Bourne’s Treadstone) carries the film in a physically demanding solo performance, supported by Oscar Skagerberg (Guldbagge-nominated 2025, Vikings: Valhalla, Börje).
Bios
Magdalena Sverlander
Emma
The lead role is played by the multi-award-winning actress Magdalena Sverlander, who, after graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, has built an international career across both Swedish and international film and television. Sverlander first gained recognition in the lead role of Tindra Diaz in När tårarna fallit (When the Tears Have Fallen), and was recently nominated for Best Actress at the Women X Film Festival in the UK for her performance as the android XYA in the BAFTA and BFI Network–backed sci-fi drama Downtime. Her additional film and television credits include Treadstone (Amazon), Ego (Filmlance), Blondie (Nordisk Film), and the lead role of Theresa Stenmark in the international drama series The Crown Witness (RTL/Strix Television), among others.
In Drifting in Silence, Sverlander delivers a physically and emotionally demanding solo performance.
Oscar Skagerberg
Per
Oscar Skagerberg is a Swedish actor and graduate of the Luleå University of Theatre. Active since 2008, he has appeared in numerous acclaimed film and television productions across both Sweden and international markets. He is widely recognized for his performances as Bjorgulf in Netflix’s The Last Kingdom, Anton Hammarström in Zero Chill (Netflix), and Stig Salming in the Viaplay series Börje – The Journey of a Legend. His additional credits include Midnattssol (SVT), Hamilton, Maria Wern, and Draug. In 2025, Skagerberg received a Guldbagge nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Viktor in the feature film Ur Mörkret. In Drifting in Silence, Skagerberg plays Per, Emma’s husband — a grounded and quietly complex character.
Tom Grejs
Writer
Director
Producer
Tom Grejs is an award-winning Swedish writer and director from Bjursås, Dalarna. He began his career in the early 2000s filming action sports before moving into narrative filmmaking. His short Old School (2006) was nominated for Best Original Film at the VAST Awards in Germany, and his follow-up Unfortunate (2009), developed through the talent program Upcoming — screened at several international festivals, including Atlantic Film Festival. After studying Screenwriting for Film and Television at Dalarna University, Grejs co-founded Stratos Cinema with filmmaker Martin Flink, producing and directing over 200 commercials and short-form pieces noted for their visual realism and emotional clarity. In 2021 he established Dales Studios, a creative venture dedicated to independent, visually driven storytelling. His work often explores isolation, resilience, and the fragile connection between humanity and nature. Drifting in Silence marks his feature debut — a minimalist survival drama rooted in realism, silence, and emotional honesty.
Martin Flink
Cinematographer
Producer
Martin Flink is a Swedish cinematographer, director, and producer based in Dalarna. His passion for filmmaking began at an early age and developed through studies at Dalarna University before he embarked on a full-time career as a cinematographer. Flink is collaborating regularly with SVT, TV4, TV3, CNN, UR, and Discovery on documentary and non-scripted productions. His credits include Karin & Carl Larsson (SVT), Nobellporträttet – Annie Ernaux, Berättelsen bakom Vår tid är nu, Babel Sommar, and Elitstyrkans hemligheter (TV4/Jarowskij). He is currently working on a Warner Bros–produced television series. As a director and producer, Flink has created the acclaimed documentaries Lokstallarna — finalist at the Košice International Film Festival — and I Want To Be A Base Jumper. In 2021, he co-founded Dales Studios with writer-director Tom Grejs. With Drifting in Silence, Flink brings his documentary realism and visual precision to the narrative form, crafting an image language that feels both intimate and elemental.
Martin Sandström is a Swedish sound designer, mixer, and re-recording engineer with over two decades of experience in film, television, and documentary production. His credits include the internationally acclaimed documentaries Bobbi Jene (2017), The Feminist: A Swedish Inspiration (2018), and Nice People (2015), as well as the feature films Stockholm, My Love (2016) and White Trash (2021). His work has been featured on SVT, Discovery, and in numerous international festival selections. Known for his detailed, emotionally driven soundscapes, Sandström’s work bridges realism and atmosphere — a quality central to Drifting in Silence, where he crafted the film’s immersive and near-wordless sonic world.
Martin Sandström
Sound Design & Mix
Dales Studios is an independent film production company based in Dalarna, Sweden, founded by filmmakers Tom Grejs and Martin Flink. Rooted in the landscapes and creative culture of central Sweden, the studio focuses on visually bold, emotionally resonant stories told with honesty and cinematic precision. With backgrounds in commercial and documentary filmmaking, the founders bring over 15 years of experience and a commitment to realism, craftsmanship, and creative integrity. Drifting in Silence marks Dales Studios’ first feature production — a debut that reflects the company’s vision: to create independent films that stay with the audience long after the screen fades to black.
Dales Studios
Credits
Key Crew
Written and Directed by
Tom Grejs
Produced by
Tom Grejs, Martin Flink
Cinematography
Martin Flink (Karin & Carl Larsson SVT, Nobellporträttet –
Annie Ernaux)
Sound Design & Mixing
Martin Sandström (Trevlig Folk, Återträffen
Original Score
Jenny Waldemarsson
Featuring Songs by
Dotty Blue
Editing, Grade & VFX
Tom Grejs
Production Design
Martin Flink, Tom Grejs
VFX Pipeline TD
Simon Björk
Make-Up
Anneli Elisabeth, Nelly Andersson
Additional Sound
Jakob Stenberg, Erika Iljero, Joan Alderman, Alexander Feuk, Alexandra Svartsved
Co-Produced by
Film i Dalarna, Mattias Ehrenberg
Produced in Association with
Högskolan Dalarna, Axel Grigor
Executive Producers & Additional Writing
Magdalena Sverlander
Executive Producer
Martin Sandström
Consulting Producer
Jason McNab
Production Assistants
Ivan Welter, Albin Streitlien
Runtime: 87 minutes
Language: Swedish / English
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Sound: 5.1 Surround
Press & Contact
Press & Publicity
For press, festival, and distribution inquiries:
press@dales.se
General Inquiries
Social Media
Instagram: @dalesstudios
Vimeo: vimeo.com/dalesstudios
IMDb: Drifting in Silence
Press Materials
A full Electronic Press Kit (EPK) is available upon request and includes:
High-resolution film stills and key art
Official trailer and poster
Full Director’s Statement and Production Notes
Cast & Crew bios and credits
Technical specifications