As It Is in Heaven

As It Is in Heaven (Så som i himmelen, 2004) is a Swedish-Danish drama directed by Kay Pollak — watch it online on iFILM. The film was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and stars Mikael Nyqvist as a celebrated conductor who walks away from his career after a heart attack.

Daniel returns to the remote northern Swedish village where he grew up, looking for nothing in particular. The local pastor asks him to drop by the church choir's Thursday rehearsal. Just once, just a few words. He stays. Working with farmers, housewives and retired workers who have no musical training and a great deal of unspoken sadness, Daniel finds something he never found on a concert stage. Helen Sjöholm plays Lena, a quiet woman whose voice surprises everyone, including herself. Pollak's film takes its time and doesn't push — it earns its emotion scene by scene. Stream As It Is in Heaven online on iFILM.