MFDB

Storyline

Daniel Daréus is a successful international conductor at the peak of his career. However, in private, he is lonely, miserable and exhausted by the demands of his high profile lifestyle. After suffering a physical and emotional breakdown, Daniel abruptly interrupts his career and returns, alone, to Norrland, the village of his childhood located in a remote part of northern Sweden. No sooner does he arrive home than his fame makes him the object of curiosity, fascination and suspicion. Before long, he is asked to come and “offer a bit of good advice” to the small church choir, which practices every Thursday in the parish hall. Daniel resists being dragged back into the spotlight, yet he finds that there is no way he can gracefully refuse the choir's request and, reluctantly, he agrees to help. As he begins to work with the choir, Daniel, quite to his own surprise, begins to rediscover his long-lost love of music. But Daniel’s work with the choir poses a serious threat to the town’s status quo, and Daniel finds himself surrounded by enemies – including the jealous parish priest and a dangerous and violent enemy from his past. At the same time Daniel makes new friends, among them the lovely and sensitive Lena, a woman who helps him overcome his fear and loneliness. Both Daniel’s life, and village life, will never be the same again.

Festivals & Academy awards and others

Berlin International Film Festival 2005
Berlinale Special