The Gullspång Miracle is an unbelievably frustrating film by director Maria Fredriksson. To be fair, the process of making the film seems to frustrate its filmmaker as much as it probably will the audience. The film begins with sisters Kari and May, as they are reenacting their discovery of a still-life painting of fruit at an apartment in the small Swedish town of Gullspång. It is a silly sequence, as Fredriksson is heard giving directions and trying to make the moment feel impactful. This lighthearted tone will be completely annihilated by the time the credits roll.
The first twist and the reason for this documentary will greatly resemble Three Identical Strangers in both story and structure. The seller of the apartment looks identical to Kari and May’s older sister who died by suicide 30 years earlier. According to Fredriksson, “I first met Kari, May, and Olaug shortly after they received the results from a DNA test confirming they were sisters. I thought this encounter was astonishing – but what intrigued me the most was exploring their significant differences and strong convictions.” Topics of this film will address nature versus nurture, social class, and religion. These are themes also found in Three Identical Strangers, but this film ultimately doesn’t do a lot to really dive into them.
Each step along the journey offers new difficulties for those involved. Olaug was raised in what she perceives as a much better situation than Kari and May. The exploration into her past leads to a series of revelations that none of them – including Fredriksson – were ready for. The story feels undeniably interesting at first, but slowly starts to feel like family speculation. A number of bold conclusions are drawn from hunches and feelings of the various people in the film. By the film’s conclusion, it feels like a nothing sandwich.
While I truly believe everyone’s story is worth telling, I also often believe that people need an ending. This movie introduces so many threads but ultimately leaves them blowing in the wind. The Gullspång Miracle is challenging to discuss, as so much of its process clearly wants to be a mystery revealed one moment at a time. Spoiling any of those moments feels wrong, and thus speaking only in vague terms about the film is the only option. It’s not poorly made, and there are many times when the story is fascinating. However, the behaviors of the people are equally frustrating, making for an uncomfortable experience that was wholly unsatisfying.
The Gullspång Miracle will be playing at Tribeca on June 11.
Rating: Decent Watch.
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