Jörn Donner’s entire production can be considered as a self-portrait, a life-spanning performance. Whilst others have painted one image or another of Donner, John Webster’s interpretation differs in that it pulls most of its material from Donner’s last-intended interview in December 2019, and an immense never-before-seen collection of photographs from albums simply labelled “Donner – Privat”. As a result, the film morphs into an epilogue of sorts, of Donner’s life story.
Direction
Webster lets Donner interview himself from beyond the grave.
Production
Those private photo albums are a goldmine of uncurated life.
Director
John Webster
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Donner was Finland's most famous cultural omnivore—journalist, filmmaker, politician, novelist—making this essentially a national monument dissecting itself.
The 'private' albums reveal Donner's compulsive self-documentation as both vanity and vulnerability—he knew someone would make this film.
FI
