Liv Ulmann's directorial debut also had her co-authoring the screenplay (with poet Peter Poulsen) as based on a Henri Nathansen's 1932 novel about an affluent late 19th century Jewish merchant family in Copenhagen. Ulmann focuses on strong-willed daughter Sofie's progress through life: a love affair with a gentile painter, an arranged marriage , childbirth and ever more fateful challenges.

Sofie

Anna's sister Lena was killed in an accident by the horse Zafir. The horse has since the accident been shut up in a barn, but Anna would like to ride the horse even though the parents are against it.