Saima – Scenes from a Midlife Crisis

Saima is a 40-year-old distinguished judge. She is always in control. Everything around her is in order. Until Ludvig, Saima’s partner of 10 years - returns home from a long work trip and confesses to an affair. But no stress. Saima will handle it. She is a contemporary woman, after all. In her fragile state, Saima receives a package with a family heirloom from her mother: a wooden frog. The frog enters the nightmares Saima has of her estranged mother. Ludvig’s behaviour becomes more erratic. And Saima’s nightmares get more intense. In order to save her soul, Saima needs to fight the demon frog of abandonment. There is a lot on the way: complex family dynamics, deep cuts, tenderness. Difficult choices. Will Saima and Ludvig survive the storm and save their relationship? A deep yet wildly funny take on the midlife transformation.

Director’s statement
My partner had an affair.

It was painful.

It was the best thing that happened to us.

I was amazed at how such a painful and destructive experience can turn into something so positive and transformative. It forces you to look into dark, uncomfortable corners of yourself that you prefer not to see.

Me (Chintis Lundgren, 43) and my partner (Draško Ivezić, 49) are developing this project together. It’s a personal journey and an exploration of the darkest sides of ourselves, perhaps a form of couple’s therapy.

Saima: Scenes from a Midlife Crisis is set in the universe we created in our previous works, including the award-winning short film, Manivald. We are now ready to explore this world and its characters in a longer format.