Everlasting Moments: Solace in a Camera
A new film by Jan Troell is indeed something to wait for. This one is the first the 77-year-old director has made in seven years and it’s a satisfying piece of old-fashioned cinema that takes its audience back a hundred years in time and maintains our interest for little over two hours. Just like in his last film, Så vit som en snö (2001), the director tells the story of a strong, persistent real-life woman who committed fully to an unconventional hobby that piqued her imagination. Cinema buffs everywhere will get why she was so fascinated with the camera’s ability to make special moments last forever.
Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell, the director’s wife, listened closely to the story of Maria Larsson as told by her daughter, Maja (who died in 1992, 91 years old). Maja and Mrs. Troell were related and her husband saw a chance to turn the story into a movie that would interest not just the Troell family. Everlasting Moments begins in Malmö in 1907. We’re introduced to the hard-working Larsson family; Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt) has a job at the docks and Maria (Maria Heiskanen) is a maid. They have four children and life is a constant struggle to make ends meet. What makes matters worse is that Sigfrid can’t handle alcohol; drinking usually turns him into an irresponsible clown or makes him fly into a rage. As he becomes an active Socialist and is suspected of being involved in the deadly 1908 Amalthea bombing, Sigfrid also has an affair with a waitress (Amanda Ooms). Meanwhile, the family needs more money and Maria looks for things to sell. She finds a camera that she once won in a lottery and takes it to a professional photographer, Sebastian Pedersen (Jesper Christensen), to have it evaluated. He thinks it would be a shame to sell such a fine camera and teaches her how to use it. Maria starts taking pictures, learns how to develop glass plates, and her talent takes Sebastian by surprise…
As always in Mr. Troell’s films the focus lies more on the people rather than sweeping (expensive) shots capturing eras that are now long gone. The costumes and a few other details are enough to convey the sense of the period. The director takes his time telling the story but soon has us engaged in this family as we try to understand both the conditions of the working class at this time and why Maria’s relationship with the abusive Sigfrid is not so easy to judge. Mr. Persbrandt is excellent in a part that looks like it was written for him; he’s just as believable as a charming father, husband and animal lover as a resentful, loutish, violent drinker. Ms. Heiskanen got her breakthrough in Mr. Troell’s controversial Il Capitano (1991) and is solid as a person who in spite of all the difficulties and burdens in her life is able to appreciate the spiritual, magical qualities of photography. The supporting cast is full of great Swedish and Danish actors, including a rare appearance by Hans Alfredson.
The press screening of this film had an unusual amount of white-haired attendees. This is most likely a film that will appeal to senior audiences, but younger crowds might appreciate this new look at the natural style of one of Sweden’s finest filmmakers ever.
The clip from Bubblare.se shows the trailer.
Everlasting Moments 2008-Sweden-Denmark-Norway-Finland. 130 min. Color. Produced by Jan Troell, Thomas Stenderup. Directed and photographed by Jan Troell. Screenplay: Niklas Rådström, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell. Music: Matti Bye. Cast: Maria Heiskanen (Maria Larsson), Mikael Persbrandt (Sigfrid Larsson), Jesper Christensen (Sebastian Pedersen), Emil Jensen, Callin Öhrvall, Ghita Nørby… Amanda Ooms, Maria Lundqvist, Hans Alfredson, Claire Wikholm, Ann Petrén, Pierre Lindstedt, Eddie Axberg.
Trivia: Original title: Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick.
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Mia writes:
It was a wonderful film. I especially liked the music.