Sylvia Le Fanu, a Danish filmmaker, will premiere her first feature film “My Eternal Summer” at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain. The festival is known for showcasing new talent in movies from around the world. “My Eternal Summer” tells the story of a family spending one last summer together at their beach home. Le Fanu co-wrote the screenplay with Mads Lind Knudsen.
The film focuses on 15-year-old Fanny and her parents as they go about familiar routines like reading, swimming, and walks along the shore. However, beneath the surface is an unspoken sadness—the mother has a terminal illness and this will be her final summer with her family. “As they seek to treasure the time they have left together, the family navigates balancing cherishing the present and facing the future,” the synopsis says.
In a teaser trailer, Fanny asks her mother to describe herself in three words for a personality test. Her father unexpectedly gives a different response instead, hinting at complex family dynamics. Kaya Toft Loholt plays Fanny, with Maria Rossing and Anders Mossling as her parents. Danish organizations like the Danish Film Institute and FilmFyn provided support. The European Creative Europe Programme – Media also helped finance the project.
International sales are handled by TrustNordisk, indicating confidence the story will find an audience worldwide. Selection for the New Directors program at the prestigious San Sebastian festival further shows promise for Le Fanu’s debut film. She delves carefully into family drama, exploring love, loss, and the value of time together. By focusing on creating memories before tragedy strikes, “My Eternal Summer” aims to offer a nuanced portrayal of human resilience through hardship.
Audiences will get their first look at how Le Fanu brings her vision to life when the film premieres. Critics will also watch closely to see if “My Eternal Summer” marks the emergence of a significant new creative voice in European film.
