Nominated for an Oscar last year for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, As It Is In Heaven is a moving film about how one man unknowingly fulfils his greatest desire in a place where he least expects it. This Swedish film will leave you feeling inspired and possibly more appreciative in the motivating and binding strength of music. A successful international conductor suddenly interrupts his career and returns alone to his childhood village in Norrland, in the far north of Sweden. It doesn't take long before he is asked to come and listen to the fragment of a church choir, which practises every Thursday in the parish hall. Just come along and give a little bit of good advice. He can't say no, and from that moment, nothing in the village is the same again. The choir develops and grows. He makes both friends and enemies. And he finds love. Click here for session information
	***** Beautiful!, October 28, 2006 Reviewer: Sule Yildirim "Sule" (Norway) I saw this movie twice, the second time knowing exactly why I wanted to see it again. If you are trying to find out if you love someone or not, make sure that you see this movie. Such a simple but yet such a powerful definition of love it gives. Explains why we are where we are, and makes you part of the harmony. Is love as simple as teaching someone to bike? Think about it. If there are no rules against it, this film should be renominated for Oscar.
	***** The power of sound, April 27, 2006 Reviewer: vikingshamrock "dollydaydream" (Oslo & Seattle) This is the first movie I've been to where at the end I wanted to stand and applaud. I think the sound of the choir at the end had such an overwhelming physical affect I was physically and emotionally moved. I felt as if all my cells were hopping. After I saw this film I heard a physician on public radio talking about 'sound therapy' and the ways in which music, song and sound can heal the body.
	My all time favourite movie, wonderful Swedish actors, fresh and interesting faces! An incredible storyline and beautiful cinematography. Michael Nyqvist is an incredible actor and Frida Hallgren is equally good. A must see for someone who wants to have their heartwarmed without smush! ===================================================================== What's not to love about this film. It's incredibly emotional and will stay with you for month's after. Take a big box of tissues with you when you see it! sourced from http://www.nzcinema.co.nz/movies/As-It-Is-In-Heaven-1490.php
	The most wonderful movie I have seen this year. Extremely moving and beautiful. Also it was very refreshing to see new actors in this simple yet brilliant film. ===================================================================== The most beautful, moving and uplifting film seen for a long while. It touched my soul. sourced from http://www.nzcinema.co.nz/movies/As-It-Is-In-Heaven-1490.php
	============================================================== Nominated for an Oscar last year for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, As It Is In Heaven is a moving film about how one man unknowingly fulfils his greatest desire in a place where he least expects it. This Swedish film will leave you feeling inspired and possibly more appreciative in the motivating and binding strength of music. Daniel Dareus (Michael Nyqvist) is a world-renowned conductor who finds his life suddenly put on hold when he suffers from a heart attack. Forced to take on a slower pace of life, he moves back to the rural community from his childhood days and before long begins a new journey in his life when he joins the church choir as cantor, significantly affecting the lives of these locals, as they in turn change his as well through their love of music. Accompanied with beautiful music, the story is set in the North of Sweden, where audiences are visually treated to the rich and picturesque backdrop of the Norrland countryside. The opening scene of a young boy playing his violin in a field of golden tall grass is one that will probably stay in your mind even after the movie ends. The camera angles and cinematography is shot beautifully and artfully as our hero rediscovers his once familiar surroundings while encountering new experiences – most of which involves the various characters around him.
	Director Kay Pollack tackles some sensitive subjects using the account of our hero to convey underlying messages about everyday social issues common in many societies, as he encounters them through his relationships with the various choir members. While some of the characters, such as the resentful and abusive husband (depicted convincingly by Per Morberg), are built heavily on typical stereotypes often seen in other movies, most of the other characters are actually quite real and complex as we are shown pieces of their lives and problems. All the actors deliver their roles well, particularly lead actor, Michael Nyqvist whose character switches from a range of contrasting emotions, it is captivating to watch him go from easy confidence to delicate fragility between scenes. Frida Hellgren is one to watch for too, as she plays the role of a vibrant young woman once a victim of town gossip, has been labelled a slut since. While there are several scenes that may be a little melodramatic, but there are some key ones that are expressively brilliant and poignant. One such scene to note is when Gabriella (Helen Sjöholm) sings her solo piece in the church – her voice is crystalline and her singing is full of emotion and inner strength.
	In a nutshell, the plot of the movie is somewhat a combination of Dead Poet’s Society meets Chocolat. Yet even though the plot may seem familiar, the way this movie goes about telling Daniel’s story is one that is wonderfully engaging and enthralling on its own. It is a remarkable story about living life, the passion to pursue one’s dream and daring to be who you are.