Staffan Liljander

The Swedish 19th century engineer Salomon August Andrée sets out to become the first man on the north pole. His idea is to launch a polar expedition using a hydrogen balloon, together with two friends. The balloon, "The Eagle", takes off from Svalbard in 1897, but the three men are never heard from again.

Karl and Kristina Nilsson work on a farm in a cold and desolate area of 19th century rural Sweden. Growing privations, combined with increasing social and religious persecution, motivate the Nilssons and many of their neighbors to strike out for the United States. Following a treacherous ocean crossing and an equally grueling land passage, the emigrants find themselves in seemingly idyllic Minnesota.

Tore Andersson is a depressed 43 year old sport journalist living in Stockholm. His girlfriend has left him so he decides to take a vacation in Cyprus.

A lonely teacher muddles through a midlife crisis as he navigates romantic relationships and tries his hand at composing experimental music.