Everlasting Moments/Maria Larssons eviga ögonblick comes from one of the great European auteurs, Swedish director Jan Troell, now in his late 70s he is known for films like Emigrants (1971), Bang! (1977) and Il Capitano (1991). Celebrated around the world, Troell’s films often look at the lives of Sweden’s working class, which is again the terrain he covers in this his latest film. Based on a real–life woman, Maria Larsson (Maria Heiskanen), Troell takes his audience into the landscape of early Twentieth Century Sweden weaving a beautiful narrative around his central character and her passion for photography.
Troell became aware of Maria’s story through his wife, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell’s research into her family history (Agneta is a distant relative of Maria). Over a number of years Agneta interviewed Maja Öman (Maria’s eldest daughter) and found out about Maria’s photography; Maria had won a camera in a lottery as a young woman and despite constant financial troubles had kept hold of it all her life. Troell, realising the social significance of Maria’s story and himself a devotee of still photography, set about turning his wife’s research, along with Öman’s memoirs, into a script, which he co-wrote with Niklas Rådström.
Everlasting Moments examines the adult life of Maria, a working-class mother of seven, married to the often brutish drunkard Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt). The film looks at the family’s struggle to keep their heads above water, the changes in Northern Europe during the beginning of last century and Maria personal engagement with photography. This is a film that slowly entices you in, with its fantastically realised sense of place and time and excellent performances.
Although Maria wasn’t a leader in the field of photography or a renowned photographer, the film’s exploration of the burgeoning art form is absolutely absorbing. Under the kind tutelage of the delightful photographer Pedersen (Jesper Christensen), Maria’s nature gift for photography develops and she discovers this very powerful method for self-expression.
Troell became aware of Maria’s story through his wife, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell’s research into her family history (Agneta is a distant relative of Maria). Over a number of years Agneta interviewed Maja Öman (Maria’s eldest daughter) and found out about Maria’s photography; Maria had won a camera in a lottery as a young woman and despite constant financial troubles had kept hold of it all her life. Troell, realising the social significance of Maria’s story and himself a devotee of still photography, set about turning his wife’s research, along with Öman’s memoirs, into a script, which he co-wrote with Niklas Rådström.
Everlasting Moments examines the adult life of Maria, a working-class mother of seven, married to the often brutish drunkard Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt). The film looks at the family’s struggle to keep their heads above water, the changes in Northern Europe during the beginning of last century and Maria personal engagement with photography. This is a film that slowly entices you in, with its fantastically realised sense of place and time and excellent performances.
Although Maria wasn’t a leader in the field of photography or a renowned photographer, the film’s exploration of the burgeoning art form is absolutely absorbing. Under the kind tutelage of the delightful photographer Pedersen (Jesper Christensen), Maria’s nature gift for photography develops and she discovers this very powerful method for self-expression.
Troell wrote the script with Finnish actress Maria Heiskanen in mind for the central role, and watching the film you can see she was the perfect choice. Equal measures vulnerable and stead-fast, Maria is a fascinating character. The film balances Maria’s responsibilities and choices with her desires; although there is an inevitable sense of melancholy to the character, there is also a joy and determination making Maria more than just a put-upon wife and mother.
First published on Trespass
