Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Call your brother – before it’s too late

The film director Roy Andersson and his three brothers are at the center of the documentary "The Andersson Brothers" – a family chronicle about masculinity, alcohol abuse, and the working class heritage.

» Updated: 22 August 2024, 12:08

» Published: 22 August 2024

Call your brother – before it’s too late
Photo: Jessica Gow / TT

I think that sibling relationships affect us more than we think. It's often the longest relationship in life. Longer than the one you have with your parents, says documentary filmmaker Johanna Bernhardson.

With the documentary "The Andersson Brothers", she wanted to encourage her father Leif and her uncles Roy, Ronny, and Kjell to meet.

The brothers grew up together in the folkhemmet Göteborg under simple circumstances. Roy Andersson later became a prize-winning director of films such as "Songs from the Second Floor" and "You, the Living".

In great contrast, his brother Ronny became a homeless addict. Kjell was a Super 8 enthusiast, but never got to know what his older brother thought of his work. Johanna Bernhardson's father Leif was left-wing politically active, a long-distance runner, and has in his old age been afflicted with MS.

"Sibling relationships can be difficult"

The brothers have had very little contact over the years. When the film begins, they haven't spoken in ten years. After having children herself, Johanna Bernhardson felt extra motivated to try to change that.

Why haven't the brothers wanted to meet?

It's not something dramatic that has happened. Sibling relationships can be quite difficult. Things that happen in the present can have echoes from something that happened very long ago. But I think primarily that it was due to a lack of initiative, says Johanna Bernhardson.

In "The Andersson Brothers", she remembers how her grandmother was the brothers' gathering point before her death. Now Bernhardson realizes that the same responsibility has fallen on her.

Like with all relationships, you have to make an effort and nurture them. It's probably something that women often have to do, says Johanna Bernhardson.

Quit drinking

She sees great similarities between the brothers despite their very different lives. Their humor, left-wing political conviction, and relationship to alcohol are recurring in everyone's life. Bernhardson tells early in the film that she herself has stopped drinking.

I think there's an inheritance there that you should be a little extra careful with. Whether it's social or genetic or both. Then it felt right to break it, says Johanna Bernhardson.

Is there a message in the film?

Call your brother. If you've lost a relationship you want, or have a relationship that's bothering you and think "I'll take care of it later" – take care of it now, before it's too late.

Director: Johanna Bernhardson

Participants: Roy Andersson, Kjell Andersson, Ronny Andersson, Leif Andersson.

Premiere: August 23

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

After the drama: "Paradise Hotel" gets a new season
2 MIN READ

After the drama: "Paradise Hotel" gets a new season

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year
1 MIN READ

They Can Be the Thriller of the Year

Liam Payne flies home to England
1 MIN READ

Liam Payne flies home to England

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen
2 MIN READ

They will be hosting Melodifestivalen

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"
2 MIN READ

Emotional when Hans dies in "Wahlgren's World"

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides
3 MIN READ

The TV series about The Pirate Bay doesn't take sides

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"
1 MIN READ

Kimmel after Trump's victory: "Good evening for Putin"

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library
1 MIN READ

The Turnaround: SR Takes Over Threatened Library

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle
1 MIN READ

Up to 400 may be laid off from Finnish Yle

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook
1 MIN READ

The Swedish songs that count towards the EU's songbook

Oasis Expands World Tour
1 MIN READ

Oasis Expands World Tour

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother
3 MIN READ

Kristofer Hivju is Santa's unknown brother

Celebrities react to the election result
2 MIN READ

Celebrities react to the election result

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent
2 MIN READ

The State Wins Against Secretly Filmed Vaccine Opponent

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show
1 MIN READ

St. Goran Hospital becomes a reality TV show

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025
1 MIN READ

"Michael" to Premiere in Fall 2025

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Support to Malmö Art Hall

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes
2 MIN READ

Jens Lapidus makes TV about famous violent crimes

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall
1 MIN READ

Million Grant to Malmö Art Hall

This week's film and series
2 MIN READ

This week's film and series