In The Last Observers, a couple from Sweden discovers genuine happiness through observing the weather.

      Maja K Mikkelsen had a childhood that was anything but conventional, yet it was filled with beauty. Her debut film, “The Last Observers,” narrates the story of her parents, Karin and Lennart, who dedicated 36 years to meticulously observing and documenting the weather every three hours, day and night, from their lighthouse station in Falsterbo, Sweden.

      Remaining in one stunning location taught Mikkelsen that she need not adhere to traditional paths. Her parents’ dedication and their emphasis on beauty and simplicity, as she mentions, “inspired me to pursue my own interests, regardless of societal status or income.”

      In “The Last Observers,” her parents humorously remark that they received “a lousy salary” in exchange for “a fantastic life,” a sentiment shared by many filmmakers.

      “I explored several careers before settling on filmmaking—I worked as a marine biologist, a science teacher, and as a scuba and freediving instructor—but filmmaking brings me joy like nothing else,” Mikkelsen expressed to MovieMaker. She believes that having diverse experiences in various fields enhances her abilities as a filmmaker.

      Although “The Last Observers” marks Mikkelsen’s first film, it has received a warm response. The short documentary is enjoying a successful festival circuit, achieving Oscar qualification at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, where it won in the Documentary Shorts category. The film has also garnered over 1.6 million views, partly due to a collaboration with Patagonia, which promoted it on their YouTube channel.

      Mikkelsen’s parents stepped away from their roles when the government opted to automate weather observation. Nevertheless, they remain dedicated to nature and the pursuit of genuine happiness.

      We spoke with Mikkelsen about growing up in nature, the pressures of regular weather monitoring, and preserving a record of her parents’ lives.

      MovieMaker: Can you describe your childhood surroundings and family life?

      Maja K Mikkelsen: As kids, we were fortunate to have our parents at home all the time. Since they couldn’t leave the weather station, we didn’t go on family vacations but spent our time in the beautiful environment where we lived. Our home was practically beachfront, and the beach tended to be deserted, unlike other crowded beaches in Falsterbo.

      I have countless memories of spending entire summers at the beach. In spring and fall, there were bird ringers working in the garden, and if we woke up early enough, we could assist them in taking birds from the nets and releasing them after they were ringed. It was magical to be able to release birds back into the wild and watch them soar away!

      As we grew older and started school, it did feel somewhat isolated, even though it was only a few kilometers from the village and we could ride our bikes everywhere. Naturally, as a child, I wanted to fit in, and our family felt different in that context. However, in my teenage years, I learned to embrace that uniqueness, which has helped me let go of societal expectations in later parts of my life.

      MovieMaker: Your parents state in “The Last Observers” that they never missed a watch, even while having and delivering four children. How did they manage this?

      Maja K Mikkelsen: It’s true; they never missed an observation. There were some close calls, but they did have one trusted family friend who would handle observations when absolutely necessary, such as when my dad was hospitalized and my mom was alone with four kids. That said, they never took a vacation in 36 years.

      MovieMaker: They mention that their pay was never good and that their schedule was strenuous; yet, they express gratitude for their lives and appear genuinely happy. Do you believe this is true, and how do you feel about creating this beautiful document of their work?

      Maja K Mikkelsen: I genuinely believe they are happy. However, it’s essential to understand what true happiness entails. They don’t constantly walk around with smiles, and they experience annoyance and complain about challenges. But beneath that, there is a deep love and appreciation for each other and their lives. They recognize that life has its ups and downs and truly wouldn’t want anything else. That’s the primary message I hope viewers take away from the film, as it enhances one’s life significantly.

      MovieMaker: Did your parents require a lot of convincing to participate in the film? What challenges arose while working with them, and what were the positives?

      Maja K Mikkelsen: They were initially skeptical when I shared my idea, but it didn’t take long for them to come around, especially since they knew I would be the one making it, and they trust me. The most significant challenge in the early years was finding time, as I was working full-time, and most events took place early in the morning. With no experience, no fancy equipment, and no budget, overcoming impostor syndrome was also quite a challenge.

      However, it