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Becoming Astrid

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Overview

Teenaged Astrid Lindgren (Alba August), who later went on to write the Pippi Longstocking series, leads a carefree life with her family in the forests and fields of rural Sweden. Restless and eager to break free from the confines of her conservative upbringing, she accepts an internship at a local newspaper where she attracts the attention of its married editor, Blomberg (Henrik Rafaelsen). After Astrid becomes pregnant, she leaves her childhood home and goes to Copenhagen to secretly give birth to a son, Lasse, whom she reluctantly leaves in the care of a foster mother, Marie (Trine Dyrholm). Astrid goes into self-imposed exile in Stockholm, refusing Blomberg’s offer of marriage and saving up her paltry salary for visits to see Lasse. When Marie falls ill, Astrid uses her imagination and flair for storytelling to reconnect with her son. In spite of her struggles, Astrid emerges with a newfound courage that will later form the foundation of a vast and beloved body of work.

Reactions, Awards & Festivals

Mill Valley Film Festival 2018 Audience Favorite - World Cinema - Silver Award
Chicago International Film Festival 2018 - Audience Award - Best Foreign Language Film
Berlin International Film Festival 2018 - Official Selection Scottsdale International Film Festival 2018 - Jury Award - Best Film Scottsdale International Film Festival 2018 - Jury Award - Best Director - Pernille Fischer Christensen Scottsdale International Film Festival 2018 - Jury Award - Best Actress in a Leading Role - Alba August Scottsdale International Film Festival 2018 - Audience Award - Best Film

New York Times Critics' Pick! “Quite beautiful, and the performances...are pitch-perfect.”

Jeannette Catsoulis

The New York Times

“Beautifully shot and refreshingly candid, with a sparkling performance from Alba August.”

Kathryn Shattuck

The New York Times

“A gorgeous piece of heritage filmmaking.”

Alissa Simon

Variety

"Absorbing...As Astrid, Alba August is high-spirited, rebellious, and resourceful.”

Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

This film about an exemplary woman, made by women, is as much a pleasure as it is a lesson.

Glenn Kenney

RogerEbert.com

Cast & Crew
  • Astrid : Alba August
  • Marie : Trine Dyrholm
  • Hanna : Maria Bonnevie
  • Sture : Björn Gustafsson
  • Samuel : Magnus Krepper
  • Blomberg : Henrik Rafaelsen
  • 1987 Astrid : Maria Fahl Vikander
  • Landlady : Li Brådhe
  • Director : Pernille Fischer Christensen
  • Screenplay : Kim Fupz Aakeson, Pernille Fischer Christensen
  • Producer : Anna Anthony, Maria Dahlin, Lars G. Lindström
  • Director of Photography : Erik Molberg Hansen
  • Editor : Tess Lindberg, Kasper Leick, Åsa Mossberg
  • Production Designer : Linda Janson
  • Art Director : Sabine Engelberg, Sandra Lindgren
Technical Info
  • Production Year : 2018
  • Release Date : November 23, 2018
  • Countries of Production : Sweden, Denmark
  • Languages : Swedish, Danish
  • Running Time : 123 Minutes
  • Screen Ratio : 2.35:1
  • Sound : 5.1
  • Color : Color
  • Rating : Not Rated
Theatrical Engagements
Theater Name
City
State
Date
Los Angeles
California
11/23/2018
New York
New York
11/23/2018
Minneapolis
Minnesota
11/23/2018
Cambridge
Massachusetts
11/30/2018
Denver
Colorado
11/30/2018
Irvine
California
11/30/2018
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
11/30/2018
Berkeley
California
11/30/2018
San Francisco
California
11/30/2018
Washington
DC
11/30/2018
Beaufort
South Carolina
11/30/2018
Monterey
California
12/07/2018
Pasadena
California
11/30/2018
Miami
Florida
11/30/2018
Dallas
Texas
11/30/2018
Phoenix
Arizona
11/30/2018
Torrence
California
12/05/2018
Austin
Texas
12/07/2018
Chicago
Illinois
12/07/2018
Milwaukee
Wisconsin
12/07/2018
Portland
Oregon
12/07/2018
Lewes
Delaware
12/07/2018
Port Townsend
Washington
12/07/2018
Houston
Texas
12/07/2018
Miami
Florida
12/07/2018
Tucson
Arizona
12/14/2018
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
12/14/2018
Hollywood
Florida
12/14/2018
Sedona
Arizona
12/14/2018
San Rafael
California
12/14/2018
Huntington
New York
12/14/2018
Winthrop
Washington
12/14/2018
Winston-Salem
North Carolina
12/21/2018
Lambertville
New Jersey
12/21/2018
Hudson
New York
01/03/2019
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma
01/04/2019
Winchester
Virginia
01/09/2019
Seattle
Washington
01/11/2019
Vancouver
Washington
01/11/2019
Napa
California
01/12/2019
Nevada City
California
01/13/2019
Hartford
Connecticut
01/13/2019
Antioch
California
01/13/2019
Holland
Michigan
01/14/2019
Bloomington
Indiana
01/11/2019
Orinda
California
01/18/2019
York
Pennsylvania
01/18/2019
Utica
New York
01/23/2019
Delray
Florida
01/24/2019
Lake Worth
Florida
01/25/2019
Boulder
Colorado
01/30/2019
Brunswick
Maine
02/01/2019
Three Rivers
Michigan
02/01/2019
Oxnard
California
02/04/2019
Cleveland
Ohio
02/07/2019
Newtown
Connecticut
02/08/2019
Harrisonburg
Virginia
02/08/2019
Onacock
Virginia
02/14/2019
New York
NY
02/17/2019
Tunkhannock
Pennsylvania
02/18/2019
Tallahassee
Florida
02/22/2019
Chicago
Illinois
02/25/2019
Juneau
Alaska
03/02/2019
Flint
Michigan
03/08/2019
Boise
Idaho
03/08/2019
Salt Lake City
Utah
04/05/2019