The hype for the potential horror film of the summer is very strong.
Midsommar is the new scare-fest from acclaimed Hereditary director Ari Aster and stars British actors Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and Will Poulter.
The film follows an American couple (Pugh and Reynor) who are facing struggles and personal tragedy in their relationship when they are persuaded by friends to attend a special festival in Sweden.
Arriving in the tranquil sun of this seemingly peaceful festival, the couple soon discover something rather different.
In fact, what they find there proves to be extremely disturbing.
But is the festival shown in the film a real thing and does it have any basis in fact?
What is Midsommar?
Midsummer is a period of time around the summer solstice and is accompanied by celebrations, particularly in Northern Europe.
Such celebrations predate Christianity, with traditions dating back to Viking and Pagan cultures.
In Sweden, where the film is set, Midsummer (or Midsommar) is typically celebrated on the evening before the longest day.
Midsummer's Eve celebrations usually take place on a Friday between June 19 and June 25.
The traditions of the celebration usually include raising and dancing around a maypole, whilst also covering houses in greenery to attract good fortune and fertility.
The evening is regarded as a national holiday in the country.
Midsummer is also sprung from pagan rites related to the goddess of love, fertility and death, Freyja, and the God of sacral kingship, virility, and prosperity, Freyr, who is believed to bestow peace and pleasure on mortals.
It is also a superstition that if a girl picks seven flowers on a silent Midsummer's Eve then she will dream of her future husband.
Considering the themes of desire, fertility, monogamy, and new life, this makes ideal room to tackle some interesting themes in the film Midsommar.
However, the more sinister and cult-like aspects displayed in the film are not widely practiced.
Midsommar is released in UK cinemas on July 5, 2019.
