Everlasting Moments

2008 Drama

In a series of remarkable events inspired by a true story, Maria Heiskanen stars as Maria Larsson, a Finnish mother and housewife who devotes all of her attention, care, and consideration to the well-being of her family -- but, like many homemakers, does so at the expense of her own identity and self-awareness. Not that her dockworker husband, Sigge (Mikael Persbrandt), particularly deserves such consideration; a brutish, alcoholic lout, his evenings consist of making life hell for Maria and their daughter with tyrannical, abusive behavior. Then, as the dockworkers go on strike and the family's economic situation plummets, a ray of hope appears, in the form of a Contessa camera won in a local lottery. Unsurprisingly, Maria at first attempts to pawn it to reel in extra monies, but store owner Sebastian Pedersen convinces her otherwise; he teaches her how to use it, and she begins taking gorgeous, haunting photographs with the unaffected, instinctive perceptions of a young child. As the woman's self-discovery builds and her identity takes on form and definition, Sebastian unofficially takes her on as a protégée and quietly witnesses romantic feelings for her building inside of him. Meanwhile, Sigge's life falls to pieces when the authorities connect him with the catastrophic explosion of a British vessel. Maria's daughter, Maja (Callin more..

Director: Jan Troell

Starring: Maria Heiskanen, Jesper Christensen, Mikael Persbrandt, Callin Öhrvall, Emil Jensen

Reviews

  • It is a great story of love and hope, told tenderly and without any great striving for effect.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • This exquisite film by the Swedish master Jan Troell is about seeing clearly, and fearlessly. It's also about subdued passion, the birth of an artist and a woman's struggle to live her own life.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    19 January 2013

  • Quiet, observant, and intensely moving whenever Heiskanen is on screen, and it has a valedictory sweep that feels like a summing up.

    Ty Burr - The Boston Globe

    19 January 2013

  • The result is an experience that, even as it feels a bit familiar, is nonetheless engrossing and satisfying.

    A.O. Scott - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • An affecting film that manages to find glimmers of beauty in the encroaching bleakness, and coaxing richly dimensional performances which, like Maria's photographs, transcend the conventionally black and white.

    Michael Rechtshaffen - The Hollywood Reporter

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Non-American Film (Bedste ikke-amerikanske film)

    Bodil Awards (2009)

     
  • Best Feature

    Chicago International Film Festival (2008)

     
  • Best Foreign Language Film

    Golden Globes (2009)

     
  • Best Achievement (Bästa prestation)

    Guldbagge Awards (2009)

  • Best Foreign Film

    Independent Spirit Awards (2010)