As In Heaven

In a harsh West Jutland farming community in late 1800s, Lise (Flora Ofelia Hofmann Lindahl) is encouraged to seek an education by her mother, Anna (Ida Cæcilie Rasmussen). But just as Lise is preparing to leave for school, Anna begins a protracted labour. Despite being forward-looking in other areas, Lise adheres to traditional beliefs about childbirth and will not call for medical help. Lindeburg’s film is a trenchantly feminist historical drama, showing a young woman’s dreams and an older woman’s life threatened by religious dogma and male intransigence and insecurity. She also displays a striking visual confidence and joy in metaphor and symbolism, conjuring up gothic, almost fantastical images of blood raining from the sky and phantom hands offering comfort.