Glenn Close stars in film adaptation of Tove Jansson's 'The Summer Book'
Charlie McDowell directs 'The Summer Book', a film adaptation of Tove Jansson's 1972 novel, starring Glenn Close. The story follows three generations on a Finnish island dealing with grief. Filmed in summer 2023 in Kotka, Porvoo, and Espoo, Finland, the film premiered at BFI London Film Festival and later at Torino Film Festival. The screenplay is by Robert Jones. The novel, published in Italy by Iperborea, centers on young Sophia, her grandmother, and her father, an illustrator. McDowell expressed his long admiration for the book and the joy of making the film.
Key facts
- Director Charlie McDowell is the son of Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen.
- Glenn Close, eight-time Oscar nominee, stars in the film.
- The novel 'The Summer Book' was first published in 1972.
- The story is set on a small island in the Gulf of Finland.
- Main characters include Sophia (Emily Matthews), her grandmother, and her father (Andersen Danielsen Lie).
- Filming took place in summer 2023 in Kotka, Porvoo, and Espoo, Finland.
- The film had its world premiere at BFI London Film Festival.
- It was also screened out of competition at Torino Film Festival in Italy.
Entities
Artists
- Tove Jansson
- Charlie McDowell
- Malcolm McDowell
- Mary Steenburgen
- Glenn Close
- Emily Matthews
- Andersen Danielsen Lie
- Joachim Trier
- Robert Jones
- Margherita Bordino
Institutions
- Iperborea
- BFI London Film Festival
- Torino Film Festival
- Artribune
Locations
- Finland
- Gulf of Finland
- Kotka
- Porvoo
- Espoo
- Italy