What We're Watching: Jan

Everlasting Moments
Directed by Jan Troell. Starring Maria Heiskanen, Mikael Persbrandt, and Jesper Christensen.

This film, set in early twentieth century Sweden, depicts how art can enhance (and sometimes save) one's life. The subjects are a working class family that includes Maria, the wife and mother who is devoted to her family and to providing for them. Her husband, Sigge, loves his family but is a reckless womanizer who is brutish when he drinks. Consequences arise when Maria tries to pawn a camera that she has won to buy food. The photography shop owner shows her the wonder that can be captured on film and encourages Maria to pursue what he sees as her creative eye. It opens up a new world to her - looking for beauty in everyday things, self-confidence that she has never known and a sense of purpose as she uses her skills to help her family survive. The "miracle" of the camera leads to many changes in the life of Maria and that of her family. The film is based on real people and has many twists and turns and much emotion. It was filmed in the Swedish language and has English subtitles.