During World War II, more than 70,000 Finnish children were evacuated to neutral Sweden to avoid the conflict. Mother of Mine, the latest from the award-winning Klaus Haro (Elina), tackles that painful patch of history in ... more »a tale of 9-year-old Eero, a child who increasingly feels abandoned by his biological Finnish mother and yet not attached to his Swedish surrogate mom. When he is returned to Finland, his confusion intensifies.« less
"After the outbreak of war between Finland and Russia, during World War II, the nine-year old boy, Eero, is sent from Finland to live with a family in neutral Sweden. (The film tells us that over 70,000 Finnish children were sent to Sweden for refuge.) Eero's indomitable spirit shines through as he adjusts to his new surroundings, dealing with the language difference and new relationships with his foster parents and the other schoolchildren. What will happen when he is supposed to return to Finland? This film is visually pleasing, with gorgeous vistas of the Swedish coastland, and very moving in its simple human story. I loved it and very highly recommend it!"
Amazing Film!!!
D. Lynch | Philadelphia, Pa USA | 11/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
This film has always haunted me. I saw it two years ago on a long flight and was completely struck by it's quality...the photography is completely breathtaking, the writing and storyline is top-notch, and the acting and directing is superb. Being adopted I think this film has an added bittersweetness for me yet it's accessable to anyone because of its complete loyalty to the characters. This film is a true delight, and heartbreak, from beginning to end. It plays like a dream within a dream.
The woman who plays the adopted mother steals the show as you see her emotional range from one end of the spectrum to the complete other end. I felt every single thing she was going through. This is film making at its most beautiful. Bravo!!!!!"
Two mothers, one war child
Daniel B. Clendenin | www.journeywithjesus.net | 04/29/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"When Russia bombed Finland in World War II, more than 70,000 Finnish children were sent to neutral Sweden by their parents to escape the horrors of war. This film personalizes that history by focusing on one family's story. The film begins when Eero Lahti makes an emotional return to Sweden as an adult for the funeral of the mother who welcomed him into their home, and with him confessing to his aged mother about his lifelong feelings of abandonment by her. The movie then reverts to 1943 when Eero was only nine years old. The Swedish host family, Hjalmar and Signe, had its own motives, both good and bad, for hosting a "war child" from Finland, and then its own ways of dealing with Eero once he was with them. Eero's biological mother, Kirsti, had her own deeply mixed emotions of guilt, regret, and love, along with horrible choices to make during the war. In between these two mothers is little Eero who as an adult still deals with the psychological complexities of two mothers who loved him in their deeply human but broken ways. In Finnish and Swedish with English sub-titles."
Great foreign language film
st paul swede | Minneapolis, MN USA | 04/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mother of Mine tells a very sparce and moving story of the consequences of war. With good intentions, the people of Finland work out an arrangement to send their children to Sweden. This story of one boys experience and the transformation that takes place for him and his adoptive family is truly moving. Grab a box of tissue..."
Must See, Must Own
G. Mitchell | Wichita, KS | 10/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This film is set around Finland's evacuation of more than 70,000 children to Sweden, Denmark and Norway during World War II. The story focuses on one of the war children, a nine year old Finnish boy and emphasizes the intricate psychology of its characters, brought to life by its powerful cast. The film is directed by Klaus Haro, Finland's most significant director. The screenplay is by Jimmy Karlsson and Kirsi Vikman, based on the novel by Heikki Hietamies. The film provides insights into the ways adults use children to fulfill their needs. This is an amazing piece of art that will capture your emotions with its spectacular acting, cinematography and narrative. You do not want to miss this experience and it might even give you the urge to call your mother."