The Swedish short film “Without Kelly,” which was written and directed by Lovisa Sirén, paints a poignant picture on young motherhood.
This bittersweet drama follows a young mother Esther (played by Medea Strid) who is confronting the painful separation from her baby daughter, Kelly (played by Teodora Sundström Latev), for the first time, when she leaves the child with the girl’s young father Anton (played by Truls Carlberg).
“Without Kelly” won the Orizzonti Award for “Best Short Film” at Venice, and it has been nominated for a Guldbagge Award, which is the Swedish equivalent of the American Academy Award.
The movie was inspired by Lovisa Sirén’s own experiences as a young parent. Medea’s character’s longing for comfort and human connection is palpable.
In various instances throughout the short, with Medea, the viewer will recall Natalie Portman’s character in “Closer.”
Medea was not afraid to be vulnerable in this unflinching yet relatable story, and Truls Carlberg’s character is there to help get her through that challenging time for a young mother.
The music by Lisa Rydberg is stirring and gripping, and it makes you feel like you are there with the main characters in the scene.
“Without Kelly” has been selected for screening at the upcoming 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which will be held in Park City, Utah.
The Verdict
Overall, Lovisa Sirén is able to captivate her viewers in less than 15 minutes with her Swedish short film “Without Kelly.”
The acting performances by the two leads are grounded, raw, and memorable. There is an honesty, intimacy, and authenticity to it like no other, and they are able to accomplish that with minimal dialogue.
Any parent who has ever had to share the custody of a child can relate to its emotional subject matter. “Without Kelly” garners two thumbs up. Well done.
