On New Year's Day, for a break from football and in an effort to honor one's roots on a day designed to start new beginnings, we went to the Paseo Camarillo Cinema to see the movie, Sweet Land (http://www.sweetlandmovie.com/). Most Hollywood movies today bombard you with noise, rapid scene changes and high-tech animation; maybe that is why they so seldom touch us. Then, out of Minnesota, comes a movie that seduces you with silence, authentic characters and innocent beauty. This is a movie I will purchase and replay. Take time to see it, and you will find a movie worth tucking away and remembering.
This movie is a must see for Scandinavian Lutherans with Midwestern roots. The story takes place after World War I, in upstate Minnesota. Viewers get to relive the rugged and challenging life of Norwegian families forging their way in a new land. It's a simple story. Young Inge travels from Europe after the war to marry a man she has never met, a Norwegian farmer named Olaf. Inge is the classic mail-order bride, but her German heritage and lack of proper immigration papers create a difficult challenge for the sturdy, quiet Olaf. Their longing for love, the strength of deep and heartfelt friendships, the local prejudices that impact the church and civic authorities alike, and the struggle to earn the American Dream they craved are played out in a way that makes you wish the movie would never end.
Lorie is part Norwegian. My roots are 100% Swedish. Their were tears in my eyes during much of the film as I thought of my grandparents and pictures I had seen of their early years on the farm. Both my parents came from Kirkland, a small time in Northern Illinois. I grew up hearing stories of men like Olaf, characters with character. When we see both Olaf and later Inge buried in the rich farm soil of their American home, we reminded of the importance of family roots. It is one of the reasons that Lorie and I already have our headstone shared with my parents. It's in place on a plot amongst other Paulson and Carlson family descendants in the Kirkland Maple Cemetery. Why Kirkland? We want our son and grandchildren to know that they come from a family, a family that took their Swedish roots and became Americans. We want them to want to visit...and remember those that came before them to leave footprints of faith and fortitude. I will make sure my son and his sons see this film. Hopefully, no matter what your roots, you will find it enriches you as well for it honors the quiet Americans who gave us the foundation that frees us to soar.
Nordic Reach has an excellent article on the film that is well worth reading. Use this link to secure a pdf file (http://www.nordicreach.com/images/stories/preview/sweetland.pdf).
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