Roy Andersson's “Songs from the Second Floor ... - Amazon.com
Most of the actors are non-professionals selected by Andersson for their unique "everyday" look, which adds to the film's deadpan and surreal tone. Availability and Technical Info
The film frequently quotes the Peruvian poet César Vallejo , specifically the line, "Blessed be the one who sits down". Director's Unique Style
Rather than a traditional linear plot, the film is a series of .
The film explores existential themes of guilt, loneliness, the absurdity of modern life, and the spiritual emptiness of a mercilessly capitalist society.
Each scene is filmed in a single, static long take with a deep-focus camera. There are no close-ups or camera movements within these meticulously composed shots.
Roy Andersson's distinct visual language is the film's most defining feature:
The film uses a muted, pallid color palette and hand-built studio sets that create a dreamlike, often nightmarish, urban landscape.