The Love That Remains

When Anna and Magnus decide to separate, a turbulent year unfolds, filled with negotiations about love, custody and continuing to raise three children (and their dog Panda) together. This sensitive drama by director Hlynur Pálmason follows the divorce in snapshots of everyday life, enriched with light humour and tender observations.

Intimate scenes and recurring images of the Icelandic landscape create an almost dreamlike atmosphere, as the film explores the impact of shared memories and the complexity of family relationships. Pálmason remains true to his signature style: an elliptical narrative structure, fixed camera angles and symbolically charged images that leave room for interpretation. Without being melancholic, The Love that Remains portrays a loving family trying to find a balance between farewell and connection.

The Love that Remains premiered this spring at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where the Australian sheepdog Panda won the “Palm Dog”. It is Iceland's Oscar entry for Best International Film. Hlynur Pálmason is no stranger to the Northern Film Festival: his films Godland and A White White Day were screened at previous editions. Interesting fact: the children in the film are actually Pálmason's own children.