The Love That Remains

The Love That Remains is a 2025 comedy-drama written and directed by Hlynur Pálmason, starring Saga Garðarsdóttir and Sverrir Guðnason.
It had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 18 May 2025, where the lead animal actor, Panda, won the Palm Dog Award. It was selected as the Icelandic entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Premise

It is described as a family drama exploring a year in the life of a family as the parents separate.

Cast

Saga Garðarsdóttir as Anna
Sverrir Guðnason as Magnús
Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir as Ída
Þorgils Hlynsson
Grímur Hlynsson

Production

The film is directed by Hlynur Pálmason. It is produced by Anton Máni Svansson of Iceland’s STILL VIVID and Katrin Pors of Denmark’s Snowglobe. Palmason is also cinematographer on the film, for which he used 35 mm film. It features his regular collaborators such as editor Julius Krebs Damsbo, sound designer Björn Viktorsson and production designer Frosti Friðriksson. The cast includes Saga Garðarsdóttir, Sverrir Gudnason, Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir, Þorgils Hlynsson, and Grímur Hlynsson. The soundtrack features music by Harry Hunt. Principal photography took place in Iceland in 2024.

Release

The Love That Remains had its North American premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on 4 September 2025. It was also selected for the Main Slate of the 63rd New York Film Festival.