A beautiful ode to music and love directed by Kay Pollak. This Swedish film is probably the least known Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, probably because the similar themed Les Choristes was more prominent.

A successful international conductor suddenly interrupts his career and returns alone to his childhood village in Sweden. He becomes the advisor to the church choir. The choir develops and grows. He makes both friends and enemies. And he finds love.

Being an ex-choir boy, this is a must watch. I expected lots of choral singing and typical songs, but I got something different. Stay till the end to find out – lets you feel there’s a different dimension to choral singing all together. The solo of Gabriella was very touching that I almost wanted to clap.

This is a piece on life, time and religion as well. Many quotable quotes. Though something was missing, the emotional elements seemed to be cut before it was milked to the fullest. Perhaps it was intentional. A pity.

As It Is In Heaven – Hear It, Feel It.