I saw a wonderful film tonight. It is entitled: “Everlasting Moments.” It is from Sweden, directed by Jan Troell. I guess I should try to explain what the film is about, but I want to say first that it moved me to tears but not because of any sentimental journey, or any great tragedy that occurred in it. I wept for a full two blocks after I left the theater. It was just beautiful – an accomplishment – that was so subtle yet profound in its effect on me.
The story centers around Maria, a quiet, steady mother of an ever growing brood of good children. She is married to Sigge, a brute of a man, a big strong bear who works hard but is bullish in his attitudes and is determined to keep Maria in her place.
Maria finds a camera that she won in a lottery years ago and to combat the ever present poverty of her family, decides to pawn it to a photographer in her small town. Enter Mr. Pederson, the kind intelligent photographer who encourages Maria to use the camera. He sees the artistic spirit in her. She begins to shoot and with an artist’s eye begins to grow internally. They develop a closeness and unspoken and sweet mutual admiration and love. But Mr. Pederson never imposes his affections on her and we are not frustrated by this at all. This does not bode well with Sigge and we witness his attempts to quell her independence.
She does not leave Sigge even after he beats her. Maria wants to leave him – a lot. Even her children (we watch them grow up) encourage her to do so. But she is too steadfast and loyal but I wouldn’t say to a fault. I had no “Rhianna vs Chris Brown” resentment towards her decision to stay.
But the film is not just about that. It’s a quiet film and like Maria, honest and sensitive. All I can tell you for sure is that it evoked emotion in me that felt wonderful. I rejoiced in it.
Twice during the film I said to myself:
I hope it’s not almost over… I hope it’s not almost over…
I highly, highly recommend that you experience this kind of film making. I wrote Roger Ebert an email that I went to see “Everlasting Moments” and he summed it up best:
Isn’t “Everlasting Moments” a beauty?
Yes, it is.
I read a review that struck me as rather dramatic: (I hadn’t yet seen the film)
“Beholding Troell’s exquisite images is like having your eyes washed, the better to behold moving pictures of uncorrupted purity and clarity.”
-Todd McCarthy, Variety
I remember thinking to myself: GEEZ!! That’s a bit over the top!
Well… after my two blocks of weeping, I might say he got it right on! Roger quoted this reviewer in his review as well.
Afterwards, (around 12:30AM) as I was weeping, I walked by an open window vendor who was selling, of all things, Dutch Waffles!! It reminded me of my beloved Amsterdam, and the seller Terrence Mootoo was hilarious. Imagine: crispy, warm waffles dusted with brown sugar… YUM! (Beladoche – belgian zucker waffles) So, there I was, walking down the street, eating my waffle as the drunken St. Patrick Day revelers stumbled, shouted and sang all around me.
“TAXI!!”
A perfect ending to a wonderful night.
You have another God given gift !!!! You write so beautifully – I will have to see ” Everlasting Moments” – It could be my mother’s biography – This had to be at a city theatre ????????- I don’t see foreign films out here in Wonderbread Land!!!!!!!
Oh Linda! Thank you so much!!! It was at the Landmark Theater (used to century Mall ) on Clark & Diversey. Really, it coulda been your your mom’s story?
How so? Please share!
I just read a review that called the film boring, depressing and will lull it’s viewers into a coma! perception!
I’m going to try and see this based on what you told me the other night! Thanks, again, for the wonderful-smelling lavender set (I am STILL smelling the soap..,hee hee!), and for being a good “date!” 😉
I am sure that you will like it. I hope so. Thank you for one of these best nights ever!!! Glad you are enjoying the lavender!
Don’t know where to even begin – other than to say my biological father was physically abusive to my mother – and me as a toddler . He tried to kill her by strangling her while in a drunken rage and burnt me with a hot iron – which ( Thank God ) – I don’t remember because she left him before he killed her! BUT – without giving TMI – she ended up marrying my stepfather who also abused – physically and verbally ( he was also an alcoholic ). She always worked – but he kept her under his control with his mouth and by hitting her – my brother and I tried to get her to leave him many times – she gave many reasons why she couldn’t – BUT , she finally did walk out on him about two months before she died of lung cancer in Sept. l998 while her house was in foreclosure and he was peeing all over the house while he was drunk! I brought her to my house for her final days – her last words when she left him (with only her pajamas in her hands )- were – “you’re on your own now buddy!” I wished she had done this years sooner – and it broke my heart to see her do this at a time when he should have been there for her – but I will never judge – because she was the most loving mother I could have ever asked for! Now – I should stop typing — before the “ugly” cry starts! I need to see that movie – sometime down the road!
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us who are in this (my) blog community. No wonder you are so vivacious- to be able to share something like this shows a lot of self acceptance and I dunno… openness. Love you!!! God Bless You!
P.S. Everlasting Moments won’t be around long (them foreign pics never are unless they are Huge hits like Slumdog) but as soon as it’s on DVD I will send you a copy!!