It is very interesting how the forum continue to find nuances in Force Majeure! Ruben Östlund has visited the idea behind Force Majeure before. There is a Swedish film magazine called FLM and the September 2010 issue had a DVD with Nordic shorts as a supplement. In the magazine there were brief interviews with the directors. Here is what Ruben Östlund had to say about Scen nr. 6882 ur mitt liv:
Q: How did Scene nr. 6882 ur mitt liv come about?
A: I was interested in a situation I saw on TV. An amateur had filmed an avalanche from a safe distance on a restaurant deck. In the background you could hear the guests cheering on. The avalanche grew bigger and bigger as it reached a slope near the restaurant. In a few seconds the merry outcries turned panic screams. I wanted to recreate that sudden shift.
Q: What was it you wanted to do?
A: Apart from capturing a specific human behavior I wanted to make an award wining film.
Q: What was the greatest challenge?
A: The team spent half a day to build a 6 meters high tower where we placed the camera on crane. When all was done and I could see the view on the monitor I directly understood it wouldn't work. It took a lot of energy to talk the photographer Tibor Gent and the team into dismantle the tower without doing a single shot. Tibor was very angry and sadly we haven't worked together since then.
Q: How do you look at the film with hindsight?
A: I rewatched it recently and was surprised how intelligent and funny it really is.
Q: What was the most important lesson?
A: To be able to reevaluate every step in the process.
Q: Do you think that films from the Nordic countries have a special atmosphere or tone?
A: No, like films in general, I think Nordic films mostly imitate the atmosphere and tones from successful American movies. There are exceptions, however.
Q: Which contemporary Nordic film has had the greatest impression on you?
A: I would rather say director than a specific film: Roy Andersson, without a doubt. But not his style, really. What really inspires me is his approach to his work.
https://youtu.be/YvAq9OhmIDg