Becoming Astrid

Description

Product Description

Teenaged Astrid Lindgren (Alba August), who later went on to write the Pippi Longstocking series, leads a carefree life together with her circle of relatives within the forests and fields of rural Sweden. Restless and eager to become independent from from the confines of her conservative upbringing, she accepts an internship at a local newspaper where she attracts the attention of its married editor, Blomberg (Henrik Rafaelsen). After Astrid becomes pregnant, she leaves her childhood home and goes to Copenhagen to secretly give birth to a son, Lasse, whom she reluctantly leaves within the care of a foster mother, Marie (Trine Dyrholm). Astrid goes into self-imposed exile in Stockholm, refusing Blomberg’s offer of marriage and saving up her paltry salary for visits to see Lasse. When Marie falls sick, Astrid uses her imagination and flair for storytelling to reconnect together with her son. Regardless of her struggles, Astrid emerges with a newfound courage with a view to later form the foundation of a vast and beloved body of work.
Swedish and Danish with English subtitles.

Review

New York Times Critics’ Pick! “Slightly beautiful, and the performances…are pitch-best.” –Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times

“Beautifully shot and refreshingly candid, with a sparkling performance from Alba August.” –Kathryn Shattuck, The New York Times

“This film about an exemplary woman, made by women, is as much a pleasure as this can be a lesson.” –Glenn Kenney, Rogerebert.com