Inga Lindström: Hannas Fest (2008)

Hanna Marklund has invited the whole family to her home for her 60th birthday. Her daughter Maja Janson, Maja’s husband Lasse and their daughter Sina, as well as her son Harald, who is supposed to come with his new partner Britta, are all invited. Sina has a huge crush on her professor, Sven Katull, and persuades him to come along too. Before they arrive, Britta tells Harald that she is pregnant. She is curious to see how Harald’s father, Gustav, will react, since he is not convinced that she is the right woman for Harald. Gustav stops by the jeweler’s to buy a gift for his wife. He chooses a necklace, and also likes a ring, which he buys as well. Jeweler Matson still needs to adjust the necklace. Lasse cannot travel with Maja because he is in the process of selling his marina. They are planning to move to Costa Rica, but Maja knows nothing about the sale. One by one, everyone arrives: first Sina with Sven, then Harald with Britta. Hanna receives a wine delivery from Gerald, an old family friend. He mentions that he will soon be returning to Mozambique to work as a doctor. Jokingly, he suggests that she could come with him; as a trained nurse, she would be a great help. During lunch, Gustav drapes his jacket over a chair in the kitchen. When it falls to the floor, Hanna sees the little box with the ring in his jacket pocket. She assumes it is his birthday present for her, but puts it back. When Maja arrives too, she wants to put her things in the guesthouse as usual. But her daughter has occupied it with Sven. When Maja encounters Sven there, she is stunned. The two know each other from the past; they were a couple for a while when they were young. Sina is not at all amused. That evening, Gustav has to go back to the law office urgently, and it becomes clear that he is having an affair with his secretary, Annika. Lasse finally arrives the next morning. In front of the whole family, Harald and Britta announce that they are having a baby. While everyone is happy, Gustav walks away, looking dismayed. Sina continues to flirt with Sven, but he makes an excuse, saying he still has work to do for the university. Gustav is back at the law office, where he gives Annika the ring he recently bought. Gerald again tries to persuade Hanna to accompany him to Mozambique. Sven goes sailing with Maja, and they grow closer and kiss. Harald is out shopping when he sees his father warmly saying goodbye to Annika. When Maja and Sven return from their sailing trip, Sina surprises them. She makes her move and kisses Sven in front of her mother. Lasse is having trouble selling his marina, and Maja starts an argument with him because she is beginning to doubt whether a fresh start in Costa Rica will really solve their marital problems. The next morning, when everyone wishes Hanna a happy birthday, Gustav gives her the necklace. She is disappointed because she thought she was getting the ring she had recently seen in his possession. Maja and Harald now realize that their parents’ marriage is also in trouble. Shortly afterward, Gustav gets a call from Annika and leaves his wife alone on her birthday. Sven gets a call from his dean, who urgently wants to see him in Stockholm. Sina is disappointed that he has to leave so unexpectedly. When Sven stops on the way to admire the beautiful scenery once more, Maja rides by on her bicycle. At first, they argue about the fact that Maja is with Lasse and Sina wants a relationship with Sven. But then Sven admits to Maja that he has always loved her. They spend an hour together by the lake. Hanna unexpectedly turns up at the law office and sees the ring on Annika’s finger. Even so, she invites Annika to the birthday dinner, since she is practically part of the family. Sina thinks her father is having an affair with the real-estate agent and berates her over the phone. Maja sees her father and Annika together outside the law office. Now she realizes that something is going on too. When she asks her brother about it, he confirms her suspicion. Lasse finally tells Maja that he is selling his business so they will have money for their fresh start in Costa Rica. Maja makes it clear that she will not go with him, because she no longer believes it can save their marriage. Sina is sad because she thought Sven felt something for her, but now he is acting cold toward her. Maja comforts her and tells her that her relationship with Lasse has sadly failed too. Sven unexpectedly turns up again because he missed Maja. As they kiss outside the house, Sina appears and sees them. Maja and Sven finally explain the whole truth to her. At the family dinner, Hanna announces that she is going to Africa with Gerald. Gustav then ends his relationship with Annika, but he cannot change Hanna’s mind about her plans. Maja and Sven have arranged to meet in Stockholm the next day, but he cannot wait that long and sets off to meet her sooner. Sina wishes her mother all the best. As Hanna leaves, Gustav asks whether he may visit her in Africa sometime and whether they still have a chance.