Polish-Swedish film Sweat to stream on MUBI this month

MUBI, the streaming platform has announced the streaming date of the Polish-Swedish film Sweat. The film will be available to stream on the platform from July 23, 2021. Directed by Magnus von Horn, Sweat features Magdalena Kolesnik, Julian Swiezewski, Aleksandra Konieczna and Zbigniew Zamachowski in the lead roles.

Talking about the plot of the film, it is said to be a shocking glimpse beneath the candy-coloured surface of an internet fitness influencer named Magdalena. She is a star who seemingly has it made with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, endorsement deals and photo spreads in magazines.

But once, she shares a video of herself breaking down in tears on Instagram, Sylwia’s sponsors become concerned. Her fan turns into an increasingly obsessive stalker due to which she’s forced to confront her deepest insecurities. Sylwia then makes a talk show appearance that could catapult her fame or destroy everything she has built. Sylwia must decide now whether she can keep up with the exhaustive demands of her online fame. Sweat, the film exposes the real-life repercussions of our digital culture.

In a press interview, Magnus spoke at length about writing the character Sylwia. He stated, "If I’m going to spend such a long time developing and eventually filming Sylwia I need to like her. Sylwia is my projection."

The filmmaker added that there are a lot of hate surrounding influencers and the anonymity of the internet is perfect for that kind of expression towards them. He feels that the hate is a part of the influencer like a shadow and is dark energy generated. Magnus called the influencer and the hater as one just like Sylwia's character and her stalker.

This is Magnus' second big feature film after The Here After which was released in 2015. Sweat was screened at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival as well as Toronto International Film Festival.