Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason, known for the Oscar-shortlisted film Godland, has finished filming his fourth feature, The Love That Remains. This personal drama set in Eastern Iceland examines a year in the life of a family dealing with parental separation. The film skillfully mixes fun and touching scenes, showing the beauty of Iceland’s changing seasons.
New Europe Film Sales, based in Warsaw, has gained the international sales rights to the film, continuing its successful relationship with Pálmason. The company has handled all of his feature film sales, including “Winter Brothers,” “A White, White Day,” and “Godland.”
“The Love That Remains” has a great Nordic cast, including Saga Garðarsdóttir from “Woman at War” and Sverrir Gudnason from “Borg vs. McEnroe.” They are joined by Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir, Þorgils Hlynsson, and Grímur Hlynsson, who all acted in Pálmason’s earlier short film “Nest.”
Pálmason serves as both director and photographer, showcasing his artistic vision. He has reunited with several trusted coworkers, including editor Julius Krebs Damsbo, sound designer Björn Viktorsson, and production designer Frosti Friðriksson.
The film is a big European partnership, made by Still Vivid in Iceland and Snowglobe in Denmark. Producers Anton Máni Svansson and Katrin Pors called the project “warm, moving, and beautiful,” highlighting its fun and unexpected parts.
Marcin Łuczaj, the Head of Acquisitions at New Europe, commented positively on the film’s attractiveness. “It has been wonderful to see Hlynur and his team make such lovely family stories,” he said. “They show humor and warmth against the beautiful Icelandic scenery.”
Several European film organizations and culture institutions, including the Icelandic Film Centre and the Danish Film Institute, have strongly supported “The Love That Remains.” Co-production partners include Sweden’s HOBAB, France’s Maneki Films, and other important European companies.
The film is set to end in 2025. A few clips will be shown at the industry’s first showing at the Göteborg Nordic Film Market in late January. After this, it will be presented to foreign buyers at the European Film Market during the Berlinale in February.
