“Becoming Astrid”

I set apart this movie from the February movie mix on purpose. Not only because it is European production, but also because it moved me exceptionally.

I admit I knew almost nothing about Astrid Lindgren, although I grew up with Pippy Longstocking, The Brothers Lionheart, Karlson, Ronia the Robber’s Daughterand Emil of Lonneberga. After watching the movie, I saw the rich context explaining why things were the way they were in my favorite childhood books…

the young Astrid (Unga Astrid– the original title of the movie) was overflowing with energy, light and life, but she was “lucky” to be born in a small Swedish town, among manners narrowly bound by religious rules, which did not allow for any frivolity, spontaneityand equality. And the natural rebels like her always pay high price for their love of freedom. An exceptional play of Alba August. And you can find the soundtrack in Spotify.