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Everlasting Moments

Play trailer Poster for Everlasting Moments 2009 2h 11m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 105 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In Sweden in the early 1900s, "Everlasting Moments" chronicles the life of Maria Lawson (Maria Heiskanen), an immigrant from Finland who uses a camera she wins in a lottery to document her life. Maria works with her camera to support her children while tolerating frequent abuse from Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt), her womanizing and alcoholic husband. Maria's daughter Maja, who vividly presents her mother's strength and dignity in the face of considerable hardship, narrates the film.
Everlasting Moments

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Elegant and intimate, Everlasting Moments moves at the deliberate and gentle pace of a classical European period drama.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 29, 2018
One of those films in which nothing very much happens, but is full of character and incident all the same. It's a life - just a life - but Maria is so empathetic and portrayed with such love that we are as immersed in that life as she is. Go to Full Review Philippa Hawker The Age (Australia) Aug 11, 2010
3/5
Feels a little repetitive and predictable in its depiction of the ordinary and the domestic. But there's something stubborn and gritty about Heiskanen's performance. Go to Full Review Stephen Cole Globe and Mail Jun 12, 2009
3/4
What makes the photographer's story so compelling is that her life's work actually does come alive onscreen. Go to Full Review Felicia Feaster Charleston City Paper Jan 27, 2020
Where the film is most satisfying is in an artfulness that operates beyond words. Go to Full Review Brandy McDonnell The Oklahoman Aug 8, 2018
3.5/4
Excellent performances, canny cinematography and Troell's steady direction make Everlasting Moments worth experiencing. Go to Full Review Martha Polk MUBI Dec 13, 2017
Maria's interactions with film remind us of the most basic echelons of the filmic miracle-the miracles of reflection, projection, of light and seeing-and invite us into the excitement they hold. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nancy W @Nancy1951 Jan 6, 2026 One of those rare movies that is layered without being self-conscious. The images are gorgeous, the acting superbly understated, all scaffolded by a simple yet accessible story. See more Georgan G @RT98616417 Oct 1, 2023 A delightful picture about class, social change, family, art & maybe love. The acting is terrific and this Swedish drama keeps you interested. Nothing bad to say about about it, at all. See more Jul 14, 2021 A sensitive, moving portrait of a hard life. Fittingly, and perhaps intentionally considering its subject, the tint and texture of this film evoke a kind of distant nostalgia and sadness that you only get when you look at old photographs See more Aug 7, 2018 A beautifully told story. Love, love, love! See more Jun 23, 2016 This is a movie rooted in excellent performances, subtle visual metaphors and a lovely soundtrack. So worth seeing for all of these reasons. It's also depressing as bleep, so be sure to be prepared to feel like crap after watching it, especially armed with the knowledge that it's based on a true story. See more Oct 6, 2015 This is one of the most beautiful Swedish movies I have ever seen like "Saraband". "Not every one could see and hear like few gifted people". This is the story of a lady who happened to discover her true passion and identity by accident which is photography. Photography lovers will cherish this movie. There are lot of other issues are going on this film like capitalism and socialism, domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, illicit romance, prostitution..you name it. Don't miss it. See more Read all reviews
Everlasting Moments

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Cast & Crew

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Jan Troell

Director

Maria Heiskanen

Maria Larsson

Mikael Persbrandt

Sigfrid Larsson

Jesper Christensen

Sebastian Pedersen

Emil Jensen

Englund

Ghita Nørby

Miss Fagerdal

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Everlasting Moments

Everlasting Moments (2008) Mikael Persbrandt as Sigfrid Larsson and Maria Heiskanen as Maria Larsson in "Everlasting Moments." (L-R) Mikael Persbrandt, Maria Heiskanen, and Jan Troell on the set of "Everlasting Moments." Jesper Christensen as Sebastian Pedersen and Maria Heiskanen as Maria Larsson in "Everlasting Moments." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In Sweden in the early 1900s, "Everlasting Moments" chronicles the life of Maria Lawson (Maria Heiskanen), an immigrant from Finland who uses a camera she wins in a lottery to document her life. Maria works with her camera to support her children while tolerating frequent abuse from Sigfrid (Mikael Persbrandt), her womanizing and alcoholic husband. Maria's daughter Maja, who vividly presents her mother's strength and dignity in the face of considerable hardship, narrates the film.
Director
Jan Troell
Producer
Tero Kaukomaa, Christer Nilson, Thomas Stenderup
Screenwriter
Niklas Rådström, Jan Troell, Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell
Distributor
IFC Films
Production Co
Final Cut Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Finnish
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 6, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$606.1K
Runtime
2h 11m
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