International premiere

A Letter from Helga

Local title
Vastus Helga kirjale
Original title
Svar við bréfi Helgu
Director
Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir
Country
Iceland, Netherlands, Estonia
Year
2022
Programme
Baltic Film Competition
Genre
drama
Subject
interpersonal relationships, rural life, jealousy

Probably the most exciting and lyrical Icelandic melodrama with an artistic contribution also from Estonia – the gorgeous costumes are designed by former PÖFF Jury member Eugen Tamberg. The barely 106-page book “Reply to a Letter from Helga” sparked lots of emotions in Iceland and elsewhere. Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir has adapted the eponymous short novel together with the author, Bergsveinn Birgisson.

A small isolated community in the middle of the lambing season, where everyone knows everyone and which is located far away from World War II dangers. Lusty Bjarni looks for fast love pleasures in wrong beds and even his wife Unnur can’t keep up with all the rumours. Poet Helga loves to hide from her husband Hallgrimur, who mistakenly believes that after seven years their marriage continues in full swing. Helga and Bjarni’s first odd encounter is rather awkward, but their eyes light up with passionate love after communal literature readings, divine prayers, farming, and looking after of sheep.

A tiny bit of jealousy and envy leads to a secret, forbidden and impossible affair. Helga is not able to love Hallgrimur who has his own adventures, but they have two kids. Bjarni is unhappy in a perfect although childless marriage with Unnur. Helga and Bjarni are aware that the local community would not approve their hidden blazing feelings. They understand that their short-lived affair will not last longer than the war. The fairy queen of their love may only survive with a new life in Reykjavik. They promise to never leave each other and make their (wrong) choices. One day Helga sends a letter to Bjarni. One of many she wrote.

An almost explicit trembling intimacy is captivatingly conveyed in the deep breaths of the two lovers, interrupted by distant sounds of war. While exploring the essence of infidelity and unrequited bitter love, director Ása Helga paints a poetical ode to the beautiful Iceland through local songs, dances, melodies, horse-rides, shepherding, wrestling traditions, making use of the unique power of nature full of fields, valleys, hillsides, mountains and rivers.

Edvinas Pukšta

Director
Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir
Screenwriter
Ottó G. Borg, Bersveinn Birgisson, Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir
Cast
Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson, Hera Hilmar, Aníta Briem, Björn Thors
Producer
Birgitta Björnsdóttir, Skúli Malmquist
DoP
Jasper Wolf
Editor
Antti Reikko
Music
Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir
Production
Vintage Pictures, Zik Zak Filmworks
Runtime
Language
Icelandic
Subtitles
English
Director
Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir

Filmograafia Svanurinn (Luik, PÖFF 2017), Svar við bréfi Helgu (A Letter from Helga, 2022)

Screenings

9th Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening090701 / Vastus Helga kirjale
SubtitlesEnglish
Q&A guestsÁsa Helga Hjörleifsdóttir (Film Director, Artist), Birgitta Bjornsdottir (Producer), Anita Briem (Actress), Hera Hilmar (Actress)
Q&A duration
Screening duration
Hall Athena Center, Tartu
Screening102103 / Vastus Helga kirjale
SubtitlesEnglish
Screening duration
8th Hall Apollo Kino Coca-Cola Plaza
Screening120601 / Vastus Helga kirjale
SubtitlesEnglish
Screening duration
Trailer
Q&A with the filmmaker