This is a story about Macken Fest and its creator Andrés Furukawa.

Macken is not a brand but a life attitude. It can be expressed in many ways says its founder, Andrés Furukawa. Andrés was born Mexico City where in his teens developed a true love and passion for Swedish Death Metal. This soon became a lifelong dream to one day live in Sweden and immerse himself in its unique multiculturally artistic landscape and its heavy metal music scene.

Andrés Furukawa is the founder and brewmaster of Macken Bryggeri AB, a craft brewery in Sweden, which he set up in 2013. He holds a Brewmaster Diploma from the Technical University of Berlin, and a Ph.D. in Brewing from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh in Scotland, UK.

Macken was his calling. Sweden was the destination. Now based in Stockholm, through Macken Andrés has connected with artists who had inspired him, created friendships, and collaborated across the arts, music, and literature.

Macken represents a collective approach to creating art together and to share inspiration between artists and audiences. It’s a positive space where anything is possible for the open-minded – here there is freedom to express ideas and courage to realise your dreams. As Andrés will remind you: “If I can, then you can.”

With that in mind Andrés set out on a journey to create Macken Fest. The destination this time was Fållan, in Stockholm. The tree-day multidisciplinary cultural festival encompassed the passion for a wide spectrum of music and the visual arts. It soon grew into a haven for artists and creative minds. There were familiar faces, amazing gigs, and fantastic music intertwined with laughter, tears, happiness, and joyful sadness. Macken Fest brought together a close-knit global family of metal music and art lovers. The vibe was of Twin Peaks and hand curved totem poles, cherry pie, and damn good coffee.

Macken Fest was unique journey. Yes, there were setbacks that left Andrés and those close to him wondering if this beautiful event that was in the planning for an eternity would ever be realised. Finally, the day came and the magnificence of Macken Fest was everything that it was meant to be.
Macken has a special following by Swedish artists but Andrés himself is a driving force in the Swedish alternative music and art scene.

This documentary film tells the story of Macken Fest. The question is does it remain a legacy or will it return, perhaps in another form? Only the owls shall tell.