Project Detail

The Summer Book

Synopsis

Based on Tove Jansson’s beloved novel, THE SUMMER BOOK tells the story of Sophia, a nine-year-old girl who is growing up fast, and her grandmother, who is nearing the end of her life. Together with Sophia’s father, they spend time at their family’s summer home on a tiny unspoiled island in the Gulf of Finland, exploring the islet, talking about life, nature and everything but their feelings about Sophia's mother's death and their love for one another. By the end of the summer, emotional wounds are healed, bonds are deepened, and the grandmother is able to leave this life peacefully.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - World premiere

Details

Year
2024
Type of project
Features
Running time
94 min
Director
Charlie McDowell
Producer
Duncan Montgomery, Alex Orlovsky, Charlie McDowell, Aleksi Bardy, Kevin Loader, Kath Mattock, Helen Vinogradov
Executive Producer
Lily Collins
Editor
Jussi Rautaniemi
Screenwriter
Robert Jones
Director of Photography
Sturla Brandth Grøvlen
Production Designer
Lina Nordqvist
Composer
Hania Rani
Principal cast
Glenn Close, Anders Danielsen Lie, Emily Matthews

Genre

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

US, Finland, UK co-production

Helsinki-filmi (FI), Finnish Impact Film Fund (FI), Case Study Films (US), Craig Stilley Productions (US), Free Range Films (UK), High Frequency Entertainment (US), Hurst Capital (US)

Sales Company

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