‘Becoming Astrid’ opens at Cinema Arts Theater Dec. 7

Starting Friday, Dec. 7, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “Becoming Astrid,” a drama about the courageous coming-of-age of one of the most revered children’s book authors of all time. “Becoming Astrid,” not only won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 21st Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, it was also the highest scoring of all the films rated by the audience that played at the festival this year.

Teenaged Astrid Lindren (Alba August), who later went on to write the Pippi Longstocking series, leads a carefree life with her family in the forests and fields of rural Sweden. Restless and eager to break free from the confines of her conservative upbringing, she accepts an internship at a local newspaper where she attracts the attention of its married editor, Blomberg (Henrik Rafaelsen). After Astrid becomes pregnant, she leaves her childhood home and goes to Copenhagen to secretly give birth to a son, Lasse, whom she reluctantly leaves in the care of a foster mother, Marie (Trine Dyrholm). Astrid goes into self-imposed exile in Stockholm, refusing Blomberg’s offer of marriage and saving up her paltry salary for visits to see Lasse. When Marie falls ill, Astrid uses her imagination and flair for storytelling to reconnect with her son. In spite of her struggles, Astrid emerges with a newfound courage that will later form the foundation of a vast and beloved body of work.

Screening times are 4 p.m., Friday, Dec 7; 7:15 p.m., Saturday, Dec 8; 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec 9; 1 p.m, Wednesday, Dec 12; and 7 p.m, Thursday, Dec 13. Admission is $8 for members and $11 for future members. Customers are encouraged to purchase tickets online. If seats are available, tickets can be purchased at the theater, starting 30 minutes prior to each screening.

For more information on this series, other events, or to become a member, go to www.rehobothfilm.com, or call 302-645-9095.