The Summer Book film’s teaser trailer now released

The world premiere of the first feature film based on The Summer Book took place at the BFI London Film Festival on 12 October. The film will premiere in cinemas in Tove Jansson’s native Finland on January 31st. More information about festivals and releases to follow.

The first reviews were published after the festival premiere, praising the movie for the cinematography, beautiful locations and the actors’ performances.

“Delicate reflection on the cycles of life and death”

-The Hollywood Reporter

“Adapted by Robert Jones from the novel by Tove Jansson — the beloved Finnish writer and illustrator of the enduringly popular Moomin books and comic strips — McDowell’s screen version remains true to the source material by sharing its attention equally between its characters and the elemental forces surrounding them. You can feel the brisk chill of Baltic Sea waters lapping at the shore; the soft caress of sunshine in a place where it’s always sweater weather; the violence of a storm that whips up without warning,” The Hollywood Reporter writes.

Screen Daily highlights the beautiful setting as well: “To read about the Eastern Gulf of Finland is one thing, but to see it depicted here is always wonderful. McDowell, who previously directed The Discovery, works with DoP Sturla Brandth Grøvlen again to present a film in which nature is emphasised, but cinematography does its own quiet work. The place is beautiful because it simply is, not just because it’s lit to look that way.”

Watch the teaser trailer

Shot on location in the Finnish archipelago, the film is directed by Charlie McDowell (Windfall, The one I love). 8-times Oscar-nominated actress Glenn Close plays one of the leading roles as the grandmother, and Emily Matthews plays the little girl Sophia. This is the first film role for 10-year-old Matthews, who lives in Finland.  Sophia’s father is played by Anders Danielsen Lie, a Norwegian actor who has been nominated for an Academy Award for the film The Worst Person in the World.

“I really liked making this movie. I enjoyed the shoots and got lots of new friends. But it was hard work, too – early morning and late nights. We went to the shoots with boats every day. It was fun, speeboats are cool!” Matthews tells. “I’m waiting eagerly for the Finnish premiere, even though it feels like there’s still a long time to go. It is really great to get The Summer Book to the movie theatres.”

Watch a scene from the movie

The first released scene from the movie features Glenn Close as the grandmother trying to support Sophia, played by Emily Matthews, who very much wants to swim, yet is afraid to do so.

“I’m deeply honored to be adapting one of my favorite novels.”

“It’s long been a dream of mine to work with Glenn Close. I’ve long admired her thoughtfulness, immense versatility, and deeply captivating presence both on the stage and on screen. I first discovered Anders Danielsen Lie from his brilliant collaborations with Joachim Trier, and he’s quickly become one of my favorite actors out of Scandinavia. I can’t imagine a more magnificent duo to collaborate with on this film”, he continued.

Producers of the film are Kath Mattock for Stille productions, Kevin Loader for Free Range Films, Duncan Montgomery for High Frequency Entertainment, Aleksi Bardy for Helsinki Film and Charlie McDowell and Alex Orlovsky for Case Study Films. Executive Producers include Jack Selby for High Frequency, Arthur Farache and Victoria Castelli for Hurst Capital and Lily Collins for Case Study Films.

“Seeing that story finally come alive on the big screen will be fantastic and moving on a deeply personal level.”

The interactions between the two are used to express universal truths – about youth and age, wisdom in the shadow of mortality, and an island world as a metaphor for our own microcosm.

Sophia Jansson, Tove Jansson’s niece, adds, “The Summer Book is dear to many readers around the world. It is my favourite of Tove Jansson’s books, and it holds a very special place in my heart. Every word of it ushers in vivid childhood memories of my beloved grandmother –  her voice, her way of relating to and moving around the island. Seeing that story finally come alive on the big screen will be fantastic and moving on a deeply personal level.”