Helena Brodin Movies
- 2000
Swedish director Richard Hobert rounds out his series on the seven deadly sins by inviting most of the main characters from his previous films for a big ol' birthday party. Amid the streamers, party favors, and animal balloons, failed rock star and circus performer Mikael (Goran Stangertz) celebrates his 50th birthday with his longtime girlfriend Calli (Camilla Lunden) and their two kids. Mikeal finally sums up the gumption to ask for Calli's hand in marriage. Unfortunately, she is falling in love with some one else. Meanwhile, Ingrid (Lena Endre) from Run for Your Life returns from a charity gig in Africa, half-blinded by a mosquito bite, while Erik (Jakob Eklund), from the same flick, is looking for his kids. A former divorce victim in Where the Rainbow Ends, Tove (Pernilla August) is now a successful businesswoman, while Ralf, of The Hands fame, remains a drunken scumbag. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Börje Ahlstedt, Pernilla August, (more)
- 1995
Although dealing with death and loss are the central themes in this Swedish film, it's tone is light and upbeat. The lead actor, Sven Lindberg, won a Swedish Oscar for this film. When irascible Ragnar Persson bid good-bye to his wife Ellen as she departed for an Italian holiday, he did not expect that it would be for the last time. But she died on the trip, and all he has left of her are her ashes which he pours into a bright yellow vase. Despite his loss, Ragnar decides to go on their annual trip to their summer cottage. He asks his son Mikael to come too. Mikael has changed since Ragnar last saw him. Now he has become Mick Pierson, an aging rock-star who travels around in a garish bus with a young groupie, Catty. Together the threesome travel to the cabin encountering many mishaps and adventures along the way. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Written by pantheon Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, Sunday's Children was directed by Bergman's son Daniel. This intensely autobiographical film takes place when the elder Bergman was a child of eight. In a near-cathartic fashion, the story illustrates the strained relationship between young Ingmar and his minister father, and the understanding (not always a warm one) between them. Though Daniel Bergman pursues his own visual style, this is his father's film through and through, and as such should be given an honored place in Ingmar's body of work. Sunday's Children is, to date, the best of the recent "retrospectives" penned by the far-from-retired Ingmar Bergman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Berggren, Lena Endre, (more)
- 1983
In a clichéd, slow rendering of three people caught in a love triangle, Jackie (Pia Green) goes to an island looking for her lover of 10 years previous, Carl-Adam (Stig Engstroem), not knowing that his bride-to-be, the daughter of his boss, is also there with him. The twist is that Carl-Adam and Jackie were once political activists, but now he has become a successful businessman -- so will Jackie and the old politics win the day? A few other sub-plots play out against a backdrop of the good-hearted poor people on the island versus the spoiled and foolish rich visitors. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pia Green, Stig Engstrom, (more)
- 1980
In this interesting but slow drama on personal relationships, an old curmudgeon recluse is influenced for the better by a young girl who by her very nature, sees him only as a kind man. The recluse, Jon (Peter Lindgren) went into seclusion after his wife and two children died in a train accident. Unknown to the villagers who dismiss him as befuddled or inebriated, the man is an accomplished artist. Once this news gets out to the media Jon is bombarded by the press and television cameras. He only allows little Maria into his home, and thanks to her vision she gives him just the right advice. Meanwhile, Maria has problems of her own. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Lindgren, Frej Lindquist, (more)
- 1967
Listed in TV Guide as a 1968 release and in most other sources as a 1969 film, the Swedish Hugo and Josefin (Hugo och Josefin) was actually completed in 1967. Six-year-old Josefin (Marie Ohman) is the lonely, withdrawn daughter of the new minister. She is brought out of her shell by Hugo (Fredrik Becklen), a free-spirited lad with an abundance of self-confidence. Together with a gardener (Beppe Wolgers), Hugo and Josefin enjoy a series of harmless adventures. Based on a popular series of children's books by Maria Gripe, Hugo and Josefin made its American debut on the HBO cable network -- surprising, considering that the film is G-rated. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fredrik Becklin, Marie Ohman, (more)
- 1967
In this grim drama, a man and woman go out for a drive on a dark winter's night and accidently run over a pedestrian. The two then squeal off into the darkness; as they drive, they try to come by an alibi for the death. The conversation begins to wander from topic to topic ranging from her sexual dysfunction, to the incautious victim. His increasing neurosis begins driving her crazy, so she leaves him at the first opportunity. He soon locates her and begs her to stay. They find a newspaper and read about the accident. Knowing that nothing will ever be the same, they resignedly drive home and as they get there, a police car pulls up beside them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sven-Bertil Taube, Helena Brodin, (more)
