In the second film directed by Liv Ullmann (1995), based on the classic novel by Sigrid Undset, Kristin is the daughter of a prominent landowner in medieval Norway, who has grown up in harmony with the ideals of the time: strong family ties, social pride, and devout Christianity. Arranged to be married to the son of another landowner, a violent attack by a neighbor and other conflicts lead her to seek refuge in a convent. There, as she awaits her impending marriage, she becomes passionately attracted to the knight Erlend Nikulaussonn; an accomplished seducer, he too falls hopelessly in love.

Crossing both convent walls and social boundaries, their affair quickly becomes public, and the innocent Kristin becomes the center of a scandal — rejected by her fiance, subjected to her father’s fury, and, finally, the victim of a murder attempt by Erland’s former mistress. As their relationship becomes increasingly caught up in local politics, some of the country’s most dignified leaders attempt to persuade Kristin’s parents to allow them to marry. But what will their happiness cost?

Liv Ullmann (b. 1938) is first and foremost known for her work as an internationally recognized and respected Norwegian actress. She made her acting debut on the theater stage as Anne Frank at the regional theater Rogaland Teater in 1957. Her acting-career has since encompassed countless leading roles on many international stages, as well as in numerous film roles. Ullmann has been nominated for an Academy Award  for Best Actress in a Leading Role twice (1973 and 1977), and has received over 40 other awards and accolades. She was widely acclaimed for her roles in Ingmar Bergman’s films, which also opened the doors for her international career.

Also as a director Ullmann has worked in both stage and film productions. She made her debut as a feature film director with the award-winning Danish production Sophie in 1992, and has since directed another two feature films, one film made for television, and a documentary. The epic medieval drama Kristin Lavransdatter, arguably Ullmann’s principal work as a film director, premiered in 1995, and was met with both critical acclaim and nearly 700,000 tickets sold at the Norwegian box-office. The film had its international premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival, where it was awarded the Special Grand Prix of the Americas.

Besides directing for both stage and screen Ullmann has also continued her acting-career through the years, although she has selected to play fewer roles, and focus more on directing in later years. She has also written two best-selling books, several screen- and stage plays, and has devoted considerable amounts of her time as Goodwill ambassador to UNICEF. Ullmann is the recipient of numerous Norwegian and international awards and other accolades, of both professional and civilian nature, and has among other things been dubbed Honorary Citizen of Trondheim city and an Honorary Member of the Norwegian Actors Association. She has received both an honorary Norwegian National Film Award Amanda, and the highest accolade an official industry body in Norway can bestow on a filmmaker; the Aamot statuette. In 1977 Ullmann was also appointed Knight, 1st Class.

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