A Summer Tale

A Summer Tale

Year: 2000

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: Swedish

Director: Ulf Malmros

ComedyRomanceDrama

During the summer of 1958, when Sweden seemed close to beating Brazil for the world soccer title, Yngve Johansson takes in shy Mårten and tough Annika. The children clash with him, seeing him as a strict ruler, but discover his crush on teacher Cecilia Nilsson. They try to unite the two and learn they share common hopes. It is a gentle Swedish tale of family, love and friendship.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Summer Tale (2000)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Summer Tale (2000). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

Set in present-day summertime on the Brittany coast, the story unfolds with modern dating dynamics and casual yet emotionally charged encounters. The mood combines beach, ferry, and dockside scenes that reflect a current rhythm of life. The focus is on personal growth and relationships rather than a specific historical era.

Location

Dinard, Ouessant, La Rochelle, Saint-Malo

Dinard is a chic seaside town on Brittany’s coast, providing a sunlit backdrop for the summer. Ouessant is a rugged island famed for its wild sea views and maritime folklore, symbolizing escape and honesty. La Rochelle and Saint-Malo anchor the narrative with historic ports that frame travel, sailing, and the exchange of sea shanties. Together these places shape a summer of music, chance meetings, and introspection.

🌊 Coastal towns 🗺️ Brittany region ⛵ Maritime culture

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:38

Main Characters – A Summer Tale (2000)

Meet the key characters of A Summer Tale (2000), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gaspard

A mathematics graduate who doubles as a guitarist, Gaspard arrives in Dinard for a summer of wandering and music. He is charming and open, yet plagued by indecision in love, juggling multiple attractions. His pattern of short-lived attachments pushes him toward a moment of self-discovery about what he truly wants. Over the course of the summer, he must decide whether to pursue genuine connection or keep options open.

🎶 Musician 💭 Thoughtful 🧭 Indecisive

Margot

A cheerful waitress with a PhD in ethnology who conducts interviews with Bretons in her spare time. She brings honesty, insight, and a steady presence to Gaspard’s turmoil, challenging his excuses and prompting deeper reflection on love and commitment. Her connection with Gaspard is meaningful, yet she remains aware of the complexities of their evolving bond. She embodies thoughtful curiosity and genuine care in the midst of vacation romance.

🧠 Intellectual 🤝 Compassionate 🗺️ Culturally curious

Léna

Gaspard’s on-again, off-again girlfriend who resurfaces with renewed interest. She can be moody and guarded, not fully revealing her feelings, which intensifies the pressure on Gaspard to choose. Her long-distance dynamic with him complicates notions of commitment and loyalty. She catalyzes the central tension between staying true and chasing new possibilities.

🎭 Moody 📡 Long-distance 💬 Direct

Solène

A confident and sensual former choir singer who notices Gaspard’s music and invites him into a new romantic thread. She has clear ideas about commitment and wants immediate progress, which clashes with Gaspard’s hesitancy. Her presence shifts the balance of desire and leads to a test of whether passion can coexist with honesty. She embodies bold attraction and a demand for certainty.

💃 Confident 🎶 Music admirer 💘 Romantic

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:38

Major Themes – A Summer Tale (2000)

Explore the central themes of A Summer Tale (2000), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Romance and Commitment

Gaspard’s indecision about which woman to pursue creates tension and uncertainty. The film explores how attraction can collide with honesty, leaving him to confront what he truly wants. The dynamic tests loyalties and reveals the ache of choosing between affection and convenience. Through the summer’s tangled relationships, commitment emerges as a fragile, earned trust.

🎶 Music and Identity

Gaspard’s music acts as a compass for self-discovery, turning emotion into song and vice versa. The sea shanty he writes becomes a motif that ties his inner conflicts to the sea’s vastness. Marginal notes and maritime tunes reveal how art can shape who we are and what we value. The creative process mirrors the struggle to commit to a single path.

🌊 Coastal Life

The coastal setting frames a temporary, sunlit escape that heightens emotional stakes. Sailing trips, beach chats, and ferry rides create a moving stage for flirtation and decisions. The island voyage to Ouessant becomes a crucible where desires collide with realities. The sea’s unpredictability mirrors the characters’ unsettled hearts.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:38

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A Summer Tale Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Summer Tale, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Summer Tale Summary

A Summer Tale Timeline

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A Summer Tale Timeline

A Summer Tale Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Summer Tale Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Summer Tale

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More About A Summer Tale