Stormskärs Maja (Stormskerry Maja)
2024
****½
Director: Tiina Lymi
Cast: Amanda Jansson, Linus Troedsson, Desmond Eastwood, Tobias Zilliacus, Jonna Järnefelt, Amanda Kilpeläinen Arvidsson, Tony Doyle, Carl-Kristian Rundman, Ylva Hagmark-Cooper, Birthe Wingren, Jonah Perjus, Louis Nederberg, Christian Fandango, Pablo Ounaskari
In the mid-19th century, Maja is married off to fisherman Janne, and the two make a home on the remote and unforgiving island of Stormskärs in the Åland archipelago. There, she raises a family through relentless hardship, facing both the dangers of the sea and the Åland War. Tiina Lymi's sweeping romantic drama is based on the five-volume book series (1968-1973) by Anni Blomqvist, previously adapted for television in 1975. This is a long but captivating story of love and loss, and of strength and resilience. Amanda Jansson and Linus Troedsson give strong lead performances, and the film looks and sounds terrific.
