Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Payno I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

princebansal1982 This is one of my favorite movies. It is breathtakingly beautiful with many outdoor shots. I am a guy with a short attention span, and I get bored quickly but even though this movie was going on at a leisurely pace it still had me spellbound.It has an amazingly simple plot, a clash of wills between a teacher and a student. It is one of those rare movies that show a child's point of view in a truthful and refreshing manner without over-dramatizing. Acting by everybody concerned is exceptional especially Bibi Andersson as Tora Holm and Natalie Minnevik as Elina. If you are reading this review give this movie a chance.

mxi001 I saw this film at the Scandinavia House in New York City, liked it, and I thought I should counter the silly comment I noticed by haunt3d. The first thing to remember is that this film is meant for children primarily, so the story has to be reasonably simple and linear. Otherwise they either do not get the message or get disinterested. What is actually remarkable about "Elina", though, is that it also seems to appeal to (at least some) adults. The New Yorkers that attended the screening on that cold night --- hardly any kids --- were quite taken by it.

Jerker I watched this movie at the Berlin film festival 2003 where it was awarded the Glass Bear (The prize of the children's jury). It is a well-told story about the problems experienced by a minority group in the society. In this case the finnish-speaking minority in Sweden in the beginning of the 1950's. The film makes it easy to understand the problems that can occur for such a minority group in an intolerant society. I believe this may be applicable for minority groups in many places of the world and thus it is possible for people around the world to recognize the situation. This is the debut for the director Klaus Härö in a full-length movie and I think he has succeeded well.

haunt3d Avoid this piece of crap at all cost. I just sat thru this awful film in a local theatre. I wanted to leave after 15 minutes due to panic attacks and nausea. But i was there with a friend and felt obligated to stay thru-out. The story is non-existant, the plot is nowhere to be found. There is no conflict (or problem) to be solved. The actors are bad e.t.c....We follow a little girl called ELINA, her sister, her mother anda strict schoolteacher (Bibi Andersson). This is a parody on film-making, and a mockery of interesting stories about life.If the "bad teacher" vs "good student" interests you, I would strongly recommend watching: "Hets", "Ole, Dole, Doff", "Zero de Conduite", instead of this awful movie.My rating: 0/10 AVOID AT ALL COST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)