| Actor | Role | | :--- | :--- | | Lise-Lotte Hjelm | Maria | | Peter Lindgren | Jon | | Helena Brodin | Maj-Britt | | Frej Lindqvist | Lennart | | Claire Wikholm | Maria's Mother | | Anita Ekström | Anna | | Malin Åman | Pia | | Stig Engström | Sixten | | Bodil Mårtensson | Ulla | | Per Flygare | Teacher |
Where to find it (tips)
Jag är Maria (English title: My Name Is Maria ) Year: 1979 Director: Peter Schildt Starring: Lotta Dahlström, Ulf Brunnberg, Kim Anderzon jag ar maria 1979 full
The 1979 Swedish drama Jag är Maria (I Am Maria), directed by Karsten Wedel
Jon’s paintings serve as a visual metaphor for his hidden inner world, highlighting that true character is often concealed behind societal reputation. | Actor | Role | | :--- |
The story follows (played by Lise-Lotte Hjelm), an 11-year-old girl navigating an emotionally turbulent period in her life. When her mother’s personal struggles and relationship changes leave her unable to care for Maria, the young girl is forced to relocate. She is sent to a small, quiet Swedish town to live with her maternal aunt, Maj-Britt, and her uncle, Lennart.
| Publication | Critic / Source | Rating (if available) | Key Comments | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Elisabeth Sörenson | ★★★★ (likely) | "Jag är Maria förnyar inte den..." (translates to "I am Maria does not renew the...") – meaning while not revolutionary, it was seen as a positive portrayal of a human story | | Aftonbladet | Gunilla Boëthius | ★★★½ | Described the film as being for both children and adults, calling it "a human film" | | TurkceAltyazi.org | User Review | Not specified | Praised Lise-Lotte Hjelm's performance, stating she gives "a performance beyond her years" | | The Swedish Film Database | Aggregated | Sympathetic | "Flertalet kritiker var sympatiskt inställda till Jag är Maria, om också inte entusiastiska" (Most critics were sympathetic, if not enthusiastic) | She is sent to a small, quiet Swedish
However, the phrasing "full" can be ambiguous. Below is a breakdown of the film itself, the reason for its enduring legacy, and an important clarification regarding the title.
The narrative centers on (Lise-Lotte Hjelm), an 11-year-old girl who is sent away to stay with relatives in a small, conservative Swedish town. Struggling to fit into her new, rigid environment, Maria encounters Jon (Peter Lindgren), an eccentric, alcohol-dependent elderly painter. Local townspeople fear and mock Jon, labeling him as a local lunatic.