When two aid workers (Shanti Roney, Annika Hallin) leave for a journey to Africa, they entrust their 11-year old daughter (Blanca Engström) in the care of an unreliable aunt… which gives the girl plenty of room to explore her surroundings.

A film that makes you feel the scents and sights of a Swedish summer, as it also portrays a girl who’ll soon be an adult, but still has the mind of a child and is increasingly challenged by her newfound independence.

A solid feature debut for Fredrik Edfeldt, with a good cast and evocative cinematography that highlights a nostalgic look at rural beauty.

2009-Sweden. 100 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Fredrik Edfeldt. Screenplay: Karin Arrhenius. Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema. Music: Dan Berridge. Cast: Blanca Engström (The Girl), Shanti Roney (Dad), Annika Hallin (Mom), Calle Lindqvist, Tova Magnusson-Norling, Leif Andrée, Ia Langhammer. 

Trivia: Original title: Flickan.

Guldbagge Award: Best Cinematography.

Last word: “The script by Karin Arrhenius was so good. It had strong visual and atmospheric qualities, which are what attracts me to filmmaking. You could tell it was written from an inner experience; very subjective and personal. In a way, everything seemed true. Also, the world that Karin had created around her story was so special, so living and working with the film was always deeply satisfying.” (Edfeldt, Cineuropa)