As It Is in Heaven

Daniel Daréus suffers a heart attack on stage at the end of a performance, forcing him to retire from his international conducting career. The health scare reshapes his sense of purpose and drives him away from the spotlight. He retreats to the remote Norrland village to find quiet and heal.

He relocates to the northern village, seeking a quiet life away from fame. He buys the old elementary school, signaling a new start in a place that haunts his childhood. He begins to imagine making music in a community setting rather than on grand stages.

The villagers invite him to listen to their local choir on a Thursday night, hoping for guidance. He agrees, sensing potential but wary of returning to public life. This invitation becomes the doorway to his renewed involvement with music.

Daniel volunteers to help the choir and pursues the position of cantor by approaching the parish minister. He accepts the role despite lingering doubts, marking a turning point from observer to mentor. His decision begins a transformation of the choir and of himself.

As he works with the choir, Daniel relearns the joy of making music and reconnects with the village through performances. The ensemble grows under his direction, and the town's mood lightens as they improve. This period sets the stage for deeper emotional ties within the community.

Lena, a young choir member, captures Daniel's attention and they grow closer. Their relationship deepens as he navigates his past and the villagers' problems. The romance becomes a source of personal happiness amid communal challenges.

Daniel becomes aware of the villagers' intertwined troubles: loveless marriage, moral rigidity, and ambition within the choir. He sees how secrets and pain threaten the harmony of the community and its music. The weight of these personal stories adds urgency to his work as a mentor.

Gabriella endures abuse from her husband Conny, a fact the village often ignores. It is revealed that Conny is the bully from Daniel's school days who drove him from the village. This revelation foreshadows the violence to come and binds Daniel's fate to the village's darkest secrets.

Conny confronts Daniel, old resentments erupt, and Daniel is beaten. The town's tensions flare as personal vendettas intersect with the choir's ascent, and Conny ends up in jail. The incident sows fear and complicates the community’s future.

Stig, the village minister, becomes jealous of the choir's growing success and attempts to shut them down. His action reveals the clash between institutional authority and the community's cultural heart. Yet the choir's resilience keeps them moving forward.

Arne registers the choir for the Let the Peoples Sing competition without consulting others, and the group travels to Innsbruck, Austria, to perform on the international stage. The journey elevates the village's hopes and tests their unity. This marks a formal entry into a larger musical world.

Lena fears Daniel will leave her for his world-famous friends as they witness his interactions with others. Daniel finally confesses his love for Lena and they share an intimate moment. This personal revelation deepens his commitment to the choir and to Lena.

On the day of the competition, Daniel is nowhere to be found on stage, overwhelmed by anxiety. He suffers another heart attack and collapses in the restroom, blood pooling as the choir's harmonies play over the loudspeakers. The audience remains captivated by the moment despite his absence.

The final scene shows Daniel rushing through the wheat fields toward his younger self, lifting him in triumph. He has achieved his lifelong goal to create music that opens people's hearts. The moment blends memory, faith, and a hopeful sense of reconciliation.