DIRECTOR: Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson STARRING: documentary RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 30 minutes LANGUAGE: Swedish, French, English
Lars Hammar's retirement didn't go as planned. Instead of a new beginning with travels and experiences, Lars has turned more and more passive to his wife and son Filip's dismay. Filip gets an idea: to take his rugged old father on a journey to his beloved France and let him revisit his most beloved places.
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The Last Journey is the second feature film from directors Fredrik Wikingsson and Filip Hammar. And it's their first documentary. The film had its Swedish premiere on March 2024 through Nordisk Film. The Last Journey is the most viewed documentary in Swedish cinemas ever with over 400,000 moviegoers.
"The Last Journey is a heart-wrenching documentary that many of us can relate to, not least of which is shown by the film's record numbers at the cinema. It mixes humor and sadness in an extremely personal way, which means that you as a spectator land in a pervasive feeling of melancholy, joy, pride and sadness. All this makes The Last Journey a strong Oscar candidate," says Petter Mattsson, head of the International Unit at the Film Institute and chairman of the Swedish Oscar Committee.
The film is produced by Lars Beckung and Petra Måhl, with Nexiko, along with production funding from the Swedish Film Institute.
The Last Journey is a documentary and it was filmed in Koping, Sweden and Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, France.
To check out all previous submissions for Sweden, click HERE.
The Last Journey is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant documentary that captures a heartfelt and humorous road trip across Europe. Filmmakers Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson take audiences on a journey with Filip's elderly father, Lars, in an effort to rekindle his zest for life. With a mix of nostalgia, comedy, and gentle reflections on aging, this Swedish film delves into the challenges of caring for an aging parent while reconnecting with cherished family traditions. This life-affirming documentary is a celebration of love, memory, and the significance of family bonds, creating a deeply relatable experience.
At the heart of The Last Journey is the charming Lars Hammar, a retired French teacher whose love for French culture defined his life and career. Known for his vibrant teaching style, Lars once inspired generations of students by bringing Gallic traditions into the classroom. Yet after retirement, he finds himself unmotivated and weary, facing the melancholy that often comes with aging. Filip’s decision to take his father on a journey to Beaulieu-sur-Mer, their family’s favorite holiday spot on the French Riviera, unlocks memories and brings Lars back to his passions, revealing his humor and wisdom in moments of vulnerability.
The road trip itself is filled with lighthearted moments that allow the film’s cinematography to shine. The scenic French landscapes, autumnal colors, and cozy European towns are captured beautifully, creating a backdrop for the father-son duo’s banter and shared memories. From the slow-moving Renault 4 to the lively interactions with locals, every scene is infused with both humor and nostalgia. The film’s soundtrack, featuring French classics by Georges Brassens and Jacques Brel, adds another layer of warmth, perfectly complementing the story’s sentimental tone.
What makes The Last Journey truly special is the way it balances humor with profound insights on life and aging. Lars’ candid conversations with his son about growing old, loss, and mortality are both touching and wise, revealing a pragmatic acceptance of life’s inevitable transitions. Filip’s desire to “fix” his father’s depression by recreating the past speaks to the universal struggle of children trying to keep their parents young, if only for a little while longer. These moments resonate on a deep level, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships with aging family members.
In its blend of comedy, warmth, and gentle introspection, The Last Journey stands as a powerful tribute to the bonds between parent and child. Filip and Fredrik’s unique touch as storytellers makes this journey engaging, heartfelt, and memorable. The film’s universal themes, touching narrative, and Lars’ endearing character ensure that it will leave audiences both laughing and reflecting on the people they cherish. The Last Journey is a celebration of life’s fleeting beauty, and it’s a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll.