Under the Sun (2001)

Synopsis: Set in the Swedish countryside in 1956, UNDER THE SUN is the tale of a lonesome middle-aged farmer, Olef (Rolf Lassgard). He has one friend, Erik (Johan Widerberg) who helps him with some of the... Set in the Swedish countryside in 1956, UNDER THE SUN is the tale of a lonesome middle-aged farmer, Olef (Rolf Lassgard). He has one friend, Erik (Johan Widerberg) who helps him with some of the work on the farm, but for the most part he lives a solitary life. That is, until he decides to hire a housekeeper. The gorgeous blond, Ellen (Helena Bergstrom), who shows up to take the position sweeps him off his feet. Although an inevitable love triangle develops between Rolf, Ellen, and the jealous Erik, UNDER THE SUN keeps its focus on the beautiful rural landscape and maintains a light and joyous mood. Scriptwriter/director Maggie Greenwald has loosely based her movie on the songcatchers who uncovered the Appalachian-British folk song connection in the late 1910s. Greenwald and the regal Janet McTeer make Lily Penleric an aloof woman who at first sees the songs as specimens to be collected scientifically. Then gradually, Lily is drawn into the drama of the women's mountain lives—their joy and sadness, their hard fought existence, their men and their infidelities, their tolerance and intolerance. And, as she is drawn in, Lily begins to fall in love with the performers, particularly the feisty matriarch Viney Butler (Pat Carroll), and the orphan Deladis Slocumb (Emmy Rossum, a 13-year old with an astonishing voice who makes a notable film debut). SONGCATCHER won the Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast at Sundance 2000. [More]

Starring: Rolf Lassgard, Helena Bergstrom, Johan Widerberg, Gunilla Roor

Starring: Rolf Lassgard, Helena Bergstrom, Johan Widerberg, Gunilla Roor, Linda Ulvaeus, Jonas Falk

Director: Colin Nutley

Director: Colin Nutley
Screenwriter: Johanna Hald, David Neal, Colin Nutley

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