Ako Sugie | Emilia Ekman Larson 'Time with Lisa Larson'
A review of a documentary about Swedish ceramicist Lisa Larson, directed by her granddaughter, exploring her artistic passion and family bonds.Summary
This article reviews the documentary film about Swedish ceramicist Lisa Larson, directed by her granddaughter Emilia Ekman Larson (titled 'Memories In Clay: A Film About Lisa Larson' in English). Lisa Larson is celebrated for her charming animal figurines, including large-headed lions and the striped cat illustration "Mikey," and enjoys particular popularity in Japan. Despite her global success, she humbly tells her granddaughter that she has "made a lot of junk" throughout her career, expressing an artist's ongoing desire to one day create something truly genius. A major theme is her deep love for her late husband Gunnar, a painter who was her greatest supporter throughout over 70 years of marriage. The film also touches on her complex family background — losing her mother at a young age, receiving little affection from her stepmother, and later regretting not having had more time for her own children during her busy career. However, filtered through her granddaughter's loving lens, Lisa is able to openly express deep affection for her children and grandchildren in her later years. The reviewer reflects that despite the outward appearance of great success, Larson too carried human struggles and loneliness, evoking both sympathy and a sense of closeness. The film, running 94 minutes in Swedish, began screening on September 18, 2026, with subtitles by LiLiCo and distribution by Mimosa Films.
(Source：artscape)