Summer with Monika
A standout early <PERSON> made in just six weeks gorgeously shot of the dreamlike archipelago of Stockholm.
This is a youthful, free-flowing, and perfectly constructed film that explores the uncertainties of growing up, feelings of disaffection with life’s trajectory and finding solace and peace in a lover, and the problems that come from that. There’s far more to it than that, but as a general gist it seems far more of a youthful and spry film than the work that <PERSON> was making in the 40s.
A key difference is that that <PERSON> and <PERSON>, who is fantastic in her portrayal of the centerpiece character, had fallen in love during filming. This real life affection seeps into the film giving it a life and movement, which is seen most clearly in the camera movement; which is so much more spirited and lively than something like To Joy which was made during this same period.
This film is also a highlight for DP <PERSON>, who without his images this film would only be a fraction as effective. The way that the lush and tender island scenes, or any scene out in nature, contrasts with the tiny harshly light interiors of both <PERSON> and <PERSON>’s jobs and homes is so essential to understanding their emotional motivations.
One of those rare films that is both perfect in it’s creation, but is still humble in scope and presentation. 529