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Special Features
- Audio Commentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- Labor of Love: The Making of Sweet Land
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Adapted from a Will Weaver story, Ali Selim's Sweet Land is a truly sweet story about unlikely immigrant lovers whose struggle for integration into 1920's America earns them a work ethic more American than many of their narrow-minded neighbors. Set in rural Minnesota, the sentimental film focuses on tribulations that Scandinavian settlers experienced, with a cinematic serenity reminiscent of Terrence Malik's Days of Heaven. Norwegian farmer Olaf Torvik (Tim Guinee) invites a non-English speaking German siren, Inge Alltenburg (Elizabeth Reaser), to relocate and marry him, but discovers that neither the town's Lutheran pastor (John Heard) nor the local judge will marry a German into their community for fear of wartime German spies. Inge finds friendship in neighbors Frandsen (Alan Cumming) and his wife, Brownie (Alex Kingston), who disregarding local gossip, welcome her into their home. Finally, Inge proves herself, settling in so that Sweet Land's historical narrative is framed by Inge, fifty years later, speaking to her adult son about her husband's death and their plot of land. This multi-generational tale of social acceptance and land ownership is ultimately the story of America, though the regional specificity of Sweet Land will speak especially to those familiar with Midwestern culture. --Trinie Dalton
Product Description
Inge (Elizabeth Reaser) is a feisty German mail-order bride who has come to Minnesota to marry Olaf (Tim Guinee), a young Norwegian immigrant farmer of few words. But in a post-WWI, anti-German climate, the local minister (John Heard) openly forbids the marriage. Inge and Olaf fall in love despite the town's disapproval. But when the town banker (Ned Beatty) attempts to foreclose on the farm of his friend Frandsen (Alan Cumming), Olaf takes a stand...and the community unites around the young couple, finally accepting Inge as one of their own.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
138 of 145 people found the following review helpful
Ali Selim is a gifted artist and one that surely will continue to create magical films such as his masterpiece SWEET LAND in the coming years. Selim wrote the screenplay based on Will Weaver's perfect little short story 'A Gravestone Made of Wheat', found the perfect setting for his tale of the trials of immigrants entering America searching for the American Dream in the spacious grandeur of Minnesota, and selected a cast to bring life to his story that simply could not be better. This film DESERVED to be considered among the best at the time of awards.
Though the time of the story is 1920, the film opens much later in slow motion, only soft music comes from the soundtrack, yet the actors are mouthing words that make us realize we are witnessing the passing of someone important. When the characters begin to speak, the story of remembering what love and trials and experiences years ago were like, transporting us to a station house where we meet Inge (Elizabeth Reaser), a Norwegian/German girl who has come to America to marry a man she has never met, a man who will provide her with home, marriage, and a chance to start afresh. Her 'intended' is Olaf (Tim Guinee) who is shy and unsure of how to make Inge a part of his life: Inge's German background makes her suspect to the townsfolk who fear the course of Germany's power in WW I. Inge speaks no English but has been learning through a common phrase book. Olaf's friend Frandsen (a brilliant role for Alan Cumming), married to Brownie (Alex Kingston) with at least eight children already, helps Inge connect with Olaf. The intended marriage cannot take place with the minister (John Heard) because Inge can't speak English and because she is German... And there begins the trial that places Inge and Olaf in a home unmarried and fending for themselves.
Through extraordinary acts of love bestowed upon Frandsen and Brownie (threatened with eviction from their farm) Inge and Olaf gain the respect of the townspeople and gradually are appreciated for the strong couple they are. They are married, and have children, and the story proceeds to the point where it started, where the aged Inge (now played with humility, grace and style by Lois Williams) carries on the integrity of the departed Olaf and brings closure to her family's disparities through her bonding to her grandson Lars (Patrick Heusinger and later Stephen Pelinski). Both Inge and Olaf wished to be buried in the soil of their land that raised the wheat that gave them material and spiritual sustenance. And it is done.
There are numerous fine cameo roles portrayed by Ned Beatty, Paul Sand, Jodie Markell, Sage Kermes, Kirsten Frantzich, Stephen Yoakam, and Karen Landry. But the equal 'stars' of this breathtaking (and heart-taking) film are cinematographer David Tumblety and musical scoring by Thomas Lieberman and Mark Orton. The end credits are screen on the horizon of the farm with the young Inge and Olaf dancing, a touch that places Ali Selim in the ranks with the finest of filmmakers of the day. This is a brilliant, must-see film. Grady Harp, February 07
Though the time of the story is 1920, the film opens much later in slow motion, only soft music comes from the soundtrack, yet the actors are mouthing words that make us realize we are witnessing the passing of someone important. When the characters begin to speak, the story of remembering what love and trials and experiences years ago were like, transporting us to a station house where we meet Inge (Elizabeth Reaser), a Norwegian/German girl who has come to America to marry a man she has never met, a man who will provide her with home, marriage, and a chance to start afresh. Her 'intended' is Olaf (Tim Guinee) who is shy and unsure of how to make Inge a part of his life: Inge's German background makes her suspect to the townsfolk who fear the course of Germany's power in WW I. Inge speaks no English but has been learning through a common phrase book. Olaf's friend Frandsen (a brilliant role for Alan Cumming), married to Brownie (Alex Kingston) with at least eight children already, helps Inge connect with Olaf. The intended marriage cannot take place with the minister (John Heard) because Inge can't speak English and because she is German... And there begins the trial that places Inge and Olaf in a home unmarried and fending for themselves.
Through extraordinary acts of love bestowed upon Frandsen and Brownie (threatened with eviction from their farm) Inge and Olaf gain the respect of the townspeople and gradually are appreciated for the strong couple they are. They are married, and have children, and the story proceeds to the point where it started, where the aged Inge (now played with humility, grace and style by Lois Williams) carries on the integrity of the departed Olaf and brings closure to her family's disparities through her bonding to her grandson Lars (Patrick Heusinger and later Stephen Pelinski). Both Inge and Olaf wished to be buried in the soil of their land that raised the wheat that gave them material and spiritual sustenance. And it is done.
There are numerous fine cameo roles portrayed by Ned Beatty, Paul Sand, Jodie Markell, Sage Kermes, Kirsten Frantzich, Stephen Yoakam, and Karen Landry. But the equal 'stars' of this breathtaking (and heart-taking) film are cinematographer David Tumblety and musical scoring by Thomas Lieberman and Mark Orton. The end credits are screen on the horizon of the farm with the young Inge and Olaf dancing, a touch that places Ali Selim in the ranks with the finest of filmmakers of the day. This is a brilliant, must-see film. Grady Harp, February 07
43 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"Sweet Land" is the only movie I've ever watched twice at the movie theaters. It was just as entertaining the second time I saw it. I am of Irish descent, and when I moved to Minnesota a few years ago, I found myself surrounded by many people of Scandavian heritage. "Sweet Land" allowed me to traverse back to my neighbors' cultural antecedents. (It also gave me a greater appreciation for basic amenities like indoor plumbing.) The movie seemed to really capture the hardscrabble existence of immigrants who risked coming to America for a better, more independent life. It also showed the cultural sensibilities the Scandavians brought over with them. The characters and their life stories are very memorable. "Sweet Land" is truly charming movie that deserves a much wider distribution.
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I often see romance movies with my wife and that will be the end of it, but this movie kept me coming back, I saw it 3 times (twice by myself) in the theater and would see it again if it was still showing, its that good, I can't imagine why this movie wasn't awarded "Best Picture" "Best Everything". There is a charming innocence about this film, that makes you want to live in yesteryear, and that's coming from a guy! Now I want to own it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Romanttic
Film is a romantic, but very short because I expected more of the same, I wanted to see more action on the lives of the protagonists
Published 5 days ago by Maria A. Perez
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memory vs. Reality: A Sweet Recollection
I've seen the film twice, and watched the commentary twice, both a few years apart.
You have to understand that this film is a memory piece, not a literal one. Read more
You have to understand that this film is a memory piece, not a literal one. Read more
Published 9 days ago by V. R. Padgett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and Fabulous
Everyone should own a copy of this movie. It tugs at the heart strings, and also shares the emotional happenings of a young Immigrant girl. I can watch this over and over. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sandra L. Patzman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Story
This movie captures perfectly the immigrant experience of the early 20th century northern plains where people from northern Europe settled in. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Old Gray Moose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
I have over 600 DVDs and this is one of the best I have ever seen. Stumbled on it on Netflicks. Bought a copy for my daughter to watch. Fabulous independent film.
Published 2 months ago by rooferdude
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best movies I've ever seen.
This is a gem. It's a history lesson, a love story, a cultural eye-opener, well acted and touching. It feels absolutely real.
Published 2 months ago by pdgee2
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet Land is a sweet movie!
I enjoyed this movie very much. The story is about a couple from other lands who come together as strangers and find their way into love. Read more
Published 2 months ago by watersong
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice change of pace.
This was a gift for an elderly relative. What we liked about it is that it doesn't contain the usual gratuitous sex and violence that is so prevalent in most movies currently... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sylvester
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too Slow
I watched this based on all the great reviews. After watching, I have no idea what you all are talking about. Read more
Published 3 months ago by anonymouse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie!
A mail-order bride who is German comes to America during Hitler's occupation of Europe to be married to a Norwegian in the mid-west. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Candace L. C. Sinclair
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