A Summer Tale (2000)

Two kids move in with a lonely undertaker who is secretly in love with the town's school teacher.

Director:

Ulf Malmros

Writers:

Ulf Malmros, Vasa (as Lars Johansson)

Stars:

Kjell Bergqvist, Anastasios Soulis, Rebecca Scheja

6 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kjell Bergqvist	...	Yngve Johansson
Anastasios Soulis	...	Mårten
Rebecca Scheja	...	Annika
Cecilia Nilsson	...	Miss Svanström
Brasse Brännström	...	Sven
Marcus Hasselborg	...	Harald
Gachugo Makini	...	Jacques
Göran Thorell	...	Erik Olsson
Ann Petrén	...	Ljungström
Pale Olofsson	...	Head Waiter
Anna Kristina Kallin	...	Nurse
Ralph Carlsson	...	Priest
Jerker Fahlström	...	Messenger
Johan Holmberg	...	Policeman

Storyline

The summer of '58, the year Sweden almost won the world championship in soccer over Brazil, Yngve Johansson accepts two children to live with him during the summer, as told through the eyes of a young boy. His name is Mårten, and the other child's name is Annika. She is a rough girl, with many problems. The three of them do not get along, and Yngve is a true dictator to the children's eyes. However, when the children discover that their new guardian has a crush on their teacher (Cecilia Nilsson), they do what they can to bring the two together. Soon enough, the three will discover that they have a lot more in common than they previously imagined, and together they can make their lives worth living again. This is a sweet story about life in Sweden in the mid 1900's. It is about family, love, hate, innocent friendship that we all can relate to, and much, much more. The movie invites laughter as well as tears, and the actors, both the young and the old, are very talented and the best ...

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Plot Keywords:

year 1958 | sweden | swedish summer | summer holiday | mortician | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Romance

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Did You Know?

Quotes

Yngve Johansson: [going back and forth over a speed bump with the herse] Well, kids, wasn't that fun? You better enjoy yourselves now, because you never know when you'll have fun next time.

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Connections

Referenced in The Wedding Photographer (2009)

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Soundtracks

Öppna ditt fönster, släpp in lite sol
Written by Engström / Larsson
Performed by Cecilia Nilsson
Courtesy of Warner/Chappell Music Scandinavia, AB

User Reviews

I love this film!

When I sat down to watch this movie I was rather depressed. "Den bästa sommaren" changed that.

Wonderful film about two orphans spending their summer holidays together in late 50s Swedish countryside. Their "father" for the summer is a seemingly square and restrained coroner, struggling for self-respect and gaining respect from others. With the 1958 soccer World Cup (which was held in Sweden) as a background, the three of them, and the kids' teacher, find their lives changing - for the better.

Great acting, wonderful photo, good timing and a story that will make your day brighter too. 10/10.

Details

Country:

Sweden Denmark

Language:

Swedish English

Release Date:

8 March 2000 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

A Summer Tale

Filming Locations:

Björkås herrgård, Vargön, Västra Götalands län, Sweden

Company Credits

Production Co:

Memfis Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1