Only Clouds Move the Stars

The film introduces 11-year-old Maria in her little brother Pilten's funeral. Following her son's death, Maria's mother becomes engulfed in her own sorrow, and distances herself from Maria. While spending the summer holiday with her grandparents in Bergen, Maria meets Jakob, a boy around her age. The two become friends, and spend time together exploring the city, and having discussions about life and death. Through her friendship with Jakob, Maria comes to terms with her mother and their loss. ==Cast==

• Thea Sofie Rusten as Maria • Jan Tore Kristoffersen as Jakob • Anneke von der Lippe as Maria's mother • Jørgen Langhelle as Maria's father ==Release==

Only Clouds Move the Stars had its theatrical release on 24 August 1998. Jon Selås of Verdens Gang praised the film for its "magical moments", and Rusten and Kristoffersen for their interplay and "fantastic" depictions of the main characters. He lauded Lian for "making the fundamentally important observation that children aren't half adults or unfinished individuals; they are children, they are human." The film also received favourable notices from American publications. Variety's Gunnar Rehlin found the film to be "realistically told", and characterized it as "funny, sad and bittersweet by turns, with a conclusion that's optimistic but feels right." The Hollywood Reporter also commented positively on the film, acclaiming Lian for creating a "truly magical family film, in large part a result of her work with the two young players." The reviewer found Rusten to "embod[y] the fragile vulnerability of a young girl who feels that she has been deserted by everyone," and characterized Kristoffersen as a "delight as the irrepressible Jacob." ==See also==