Short-listed for an Oscar nomination, this Swedish film is a quietly engaging watch. Based on a true story, it sees poverty-stricken mother Maria (Maria Heiskanen) winning a camera in the lottery during the early 20th century. Guided by a kindly camera shop-owner, she snatches moments of comfort from her treasured possession.
Unsurprisingly, her abusive husband sees both camera and mentor as threats. This boasts good performances and a strong sense of time and place, but those after a profoundly emotive character drama may be disappointed — this is more a snapshot of the early days of photography.