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.
Nominated for Best Foreign Film for the year 2000 Academy Awards.
UNDER THE SUN was Sweden's highest grossing film in 1999.
Actress Helena Bergstrom is married to the director Colin Nutley.
Theatrical Release Date: August 3, 2001 (LIMITED)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Additional Release Material:
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Features:
Scene Selections
Source Writer
H. E. Bates: Screenwriter\"Summertime"
Review 1:
"...UNDER THE SUN boasts fine performances, from the bear-like Lassgard's gently reticent Olof to Bergstrom's sexy, conflicted Ellen..."
Source: Box Office
p.57 05/01/2001
Review 2:
"...SUN is a touching, beautifully acted drama....The measured pace of Nutley's intelligent screenplay allows for complex characterizations, and the emotional dynamics are conveyed with sensitivity..."
Source: Hollywood Reporter
p.18-21 08/08/2001
Review 3:
"...UNDER THE SUN casts a lovely spell, as warm and seductive as its summertime setting..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.6 08/17/2001
Review 4:
"...[Bergstrom's performance is] so carefully modulated that by the end we are hanging on every word and gesture..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.31 08/31/2001
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