Inga Lindström: Inselsommer (2005)

Katharina Fredholm is a successful chef at a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Stockholm. Before she has to pick up her daughter from school, she serves a guest the meal he ordered. In a hurry, she is somewhat rude when the guest says something to her. She will only find out later who he was. Her aunt Augusta has written her a letter, from which she learns that her uncle has died and left her something. So she goes to visit Augusta with her daughter, Annika. The two had actually planned to go on a beach holiday in Spain, but they have time for a short visit first. Augusta is overjoyed to see them and immediately shows Katharina what she has inherited: a motorboat. During a test drive, the throttle gets stuck, and she collides with a yacht broadside. The owner is none other than the guest from the restaurant. He introduces himself as Sven Swedenborg and is furious. His mother, Viveca, wants to celebrate her 60th birthday at the estate she has recently acquired, but now the caterer has cancelled. Sven remembers the “Tärna,” a restaurant nearby that Augusta ran with her late husband. But Augusta does not want to take the job, while Katharina sees a chance to save the restaurant. When she tries to present her plan to Viveca, nothing comes of it because Viveca has found out who owns the restaurant and that Augusta is Katharina’s aunt. Sven and Katharina are both astonished, as they do not understand the decision. A short time later, Sven does agree to hire her, against his mother’s wishes. Katharina unexpectedly gets a call from Harald, Annika’s father. Her daughter does not know he exists. He wants to use this to his advantage and puts pressure on Katharina. Marita, Sven’s girlfriend, has to go back to Stockholm because she cannot leave her gallery unattended. Sven invites Katharina on an outing, where they grow closer and eventually sleep together. When they return, a journalist recognizes them and takes their picture. The next morning, they are on the front page, and Viveca and Marita are horrified. Marita even openly threatens to make the merger negotiations with her father fall through. Harald also sees them in the newspaper and blackmails Katharina with it. Viveca finally brings herself to visit Augusta, but she still holds a grudge because the man who was her boyfriend at the time left her for Augusta’s sake. Sven talks to Viveca and makes it clear that he will not give up his relationship with Katharina. Meanwhile, Harald has turned up on the island and lures Annika to him with the promise of a boat trip, to lend weight to his demands. Fortunately, Sven is there, and they are able to resolve the difficult situation. At last, Viveca is able to forgive Augusta, having realized that she really owes her wonderful life with her husband and son to Augusta. Sven travels to Stockholm to speak with Marita’s father, but meets Marita herself. She, too, has realized that she must not stand in Sven’s way and promises to sort everything out with her father. In the end, everyone gets together for a wonderful birthday party.