Described by its creator Pernille Kjær as a “small cinematic poem,” Forår (Spring) stands out as one of the most distinctive short films I’ve encountered in some time. A lyrical piece with a measured pace, this tale of a spirit and the house it resides in draws you in with its striking black-and-white visuals, while its strange and surprising storyline keep you hooked.

“A tragic love story, full of devious eroticism with a humorous twist”

Exploring themes of love, nature and time, Spring is undeniably a complex piece, with Kjær drawing on numerous inspirations for the film. However, she distills her vision succinctly: “My intention with the film is to show a tragic love story, full of devious eroticism with a humorous twist”. At the same time, she also hoped to aim the spotlight on an environment that “that doesn’t usually enjoy a lot of attention.”

As for the pacing, Kjær describes it as intentionally “slow and contemplative”, a choice inspired by her reflections on “the atmosphere and life” of the rural area where she purchased a small farmhouse - one of Spring’s key influences. Explaining that she is “fascinated with the stillness of this place” and the way “things are allowed to decay and disappear slowly in their own time”.

[caption id="attachment_40303" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Spring-Pernille-Kjær

"In 2020 I purchased a small farmhouse on a peninsula in western Limfjorden" - Location plays an important role in Spring[/caption]

This measured rhythm also serves to give the audience ample space to reflect on the details presented. While the sound design hints at activities occurring off-camera, both inside and around the house, the visuals subtly reveal glimpses of everyday life - a half-eaten meal, an empty chair, or a door left ajar - all suggesting that something is subtly, yet unmistakably, amiss.

The detailed and striking visuals of Spring also serve as a reflection on the environments that proved so influential in the making of the short. Hand-drawn frame by frame in TvPaint, they work to lend the film a timeless quality, amplifying the mystical elements of the film. While the setting feels grounded in reality, the actions unfolding within it evoke a sense of the magical and otherworldly.

A film about “longing and a sensual obsession with the unattainable,” it feels fitting that I’ve completely fallen for Spring. From its captivating visual style to its evocative sound design, this short is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and genuine originality - qualities that are remarkable on their own but rarely come together so seamlessly.