I missed this wonderful documentary when it was shown on Boxing Day, but luckily it is still available on iPlayer (until 16th January). I urge you to watch it, if you haven't already.
Fascinating and inspiring, the documentary contains interviews with her family and friends, original cinefilm footage, hand-written letters and excerpts from the Moomins and her other books, building up a portrait of a remarkable woman.
The last part concentrates on her summers spent at the little cabin which she built on a remote Finnish island, Klovharu. The footage of her time here is particularly magical - scenes of Tove swimming in the clear blue sea with a floral crown on her head, or dancing around with a rotund black cat, or rowing up to the island in the small wooden boat will stay with me for some time.
I've mentioned my love of small cabins before... did I also mention there are some beauties on Portland? I spotted these when we went last week.
This last one really gets me. It's got a woodburning stove in it! And don't worry, there is a window on the other side. I find myself browsing the huts for sale, idly of an evening...
Oooh, I completely forgot to watch this, and it is the setting for one of my favourites, 'the summer book'. Thank you so much for posting, I shall catch up now.
ReplyDeleteI watched this lovely documentry too.I loved the little cabin and Jansson came across as a really inspirational person.
ReplyDeleteI competely agree - it was an inspirational Christmas treasure amongst so much dross. I texted several friends during it urging them to watch it!
ReplyDeleteFor some unfair and crazy reason, I hadn't heard ANYTHING about this program! I can't wait to settle down and enjoy, she was such a character and has given people so much to smile about with her stories! I found some vintage Moomin books at a car boot last year, i adore the simple ink illustrations, but I did find certain parts scary when I was younger!
ReplyDeleteKatie
I know, same here - we were so busy over Christmas we hardly watched any telly at all. Discovering it yesterday was like finding an unwrapped present still under the tree!
DeleteI didn't know anything about this either - thanks for posting, can't wait to watch this!
ReplyDeleteMy partner's sisters live on Portland, so we often visit - love these cabins too, how great it would be to have one as a little studio. Loved your photo of the lighthouse with the dramatic sky on your other post.
Happy New Year !
Ashlee x
Yes, wouldn't it! Happy New Year to you too x
Deletei'm always browsing huts for sale, but they seem to cost a fortune! thanks for the reminder about the doc. i texted seventy tree about it then forgot to watch it myself. durr brain. (not you. me.) x
ReplyDeleteOh I missed it too! I tried to watch it online after the first showing and it wasn't availble for viewing but saw they were repeating it on Wednesday at some ridiculous time in the morning ..2am?? and plum forgot again! Thanks so much for the reminder, I'd have been gutted to have missed it yet again. :) Lovely pictures of huts by the way!
ReplyDeleteJess x
Hi Jess, thanks, pleased to be of service :)
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