In this monumental mid-19th century epic by Jan Troell, based on the first two books of Swedish novelist Vilhelm Moberg’s Upon a Good Land, Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydown star as Kristina and Kar Oskar Nilsson, a Swedish couple whose plans to move to America with their family are challenged by physical and emotional trials at every step. Over their years of marriage and building a family in the province of Småland, Sweden, the Nilssons have struggled with poor weather, failed harvests, and hunger. When Karl Oskar’s brother Robert proposes that they travel to America, the Nilssons slowly overcome their doubts and begin planning for a journey overseas, accompanied by Kristen’s uncle Danjel and his family, who have been exiled from Sweden due to their religious beliefs, as well as a small party of others seeking new opportunities abroad.
The journey that unfolds is long and arduous, as the party undergoes a treacherous ocean crossing on the wooden brig Charlotta, followed by an equally grueling land passage until at last the emigrants find themselves in the seemingly idyllic land of Minnesota. Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Picture Academy Awards, The Emigrants captures the laborious passage of the countless settlers seeking better lives across the Atlantic, and their efforts to put down roots in a beautiful but forbidding new world. Directed by Jan Troell (Sweden, 1971)
The sequel to this film, The New Land, will be presented on Friday, November 22.
“Infinitely absorbing and moving … The Emigrants is a special film in that it’s Swedish and yet somehow American – in the sense that it tells the story of what America meant for so many millions.”—Roger Ebert
“Engrossing at every step of the way, the duo of The Emigrants and The New Land makes for perhaps the greatest screen drama about the settling of America.”—The Criterion Collection
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Jan Troell (b. July 1931) is known as one of Sweden’s best directors and cinematographers for such internationally acclaimed films as
Here Is Your Life (1966), The Emigrants (1971), The New Land (1972), and Il capitano (1991). He is married to Agneta Ulfsäter-Troell.
LIV ULLMANN: A CELEBRATION
In celebration of Liv Ullmann, recipient of the 2019 ASF Gold Medal, Scandinavia House presents a retrospective of the acclaimed actress and director’s roles and work with leading auteurs.
The Wayward Girl
WED—November 13—6:30 PM
Miss Julie
THU—November 14—6:30 PM
An-Magritt
SAT—November 16—2 PM
The Emigrants / Utvandrarna
TUE—November 19—6:30 PM
The New Land / Nybyggarna
FRI—November 22—6:30 PM
Scenes From A Marriage / Scener Ur Ett Äktenskap
SAT—November 23—2 PM
Zandy’s Bride
WED—December 4—6:30 PM
The Abdication
FRI—December 6—6:30 PM
Kristin Lavransdatter
WED—December 11—6:30 PM
Faithless / Trolösa
FRI—December 13—6:30 PM