On Möja in the Stockholm archipelago, it's radiant sunshine one day at the end of summer. But around 20 frustrated filmmakers and actors - and a large St Bernard dog - are longing for clouds so that the rain machine can be used.
It's needed for the scene where the city dwellers step off the archipelago boat out on Saltkråkan - in heavy rain. But now, paradoxically, the weather in the archipelago is too fine.
Received criticism
One who doesn't mind the wait is Henrik Norlén, the "new" Uncle Melker.
Getting to be out in the archipelago all summer, it's absolutely fantastic, he exclaims.
Finally, the cloud arrives and the rain machine creates precipitation over Möja - filming can resume on what SF Studios and SVT hope will become a classic just like the original from 1964.
When plans for SVT's new version were presented, criticism emerged. Why make a new series when there's already a timeless classic? But SVT's incoming drama chief Johanna Gårdare defends the decision and thinks there's a difference between books and TV.
No filmed material becomes timeless. Books are another matter, but film dates in a completely different way. You experience gender roles in a different way. There are so many layers that make it difficult to take it in. If you don't have that slightly forgiving, nostalgic gaze, she says.
Many of the classic scenes from the original have been written into the new script, but the modern world has entered "Vi på Saltkråkan" - the kids, of course, complain about poor internet out in the archipelago.
You can play on the fact that it's a bit poor reception for the kids, so they run around and search for reception on high peaks and so on. But then they find other fun things and games to do that belong to the archipelago, explains Henrik Norlén.
"Astrid Lindgren tone"
Torsten Lilliecrona played Uncle Melker in the original and became bitter when everything else he did in his career was overshadowed by the role in "Vi på Saltkråkan".
I can imagine it was like that back then when there was only one channel and everyone watched the same thing. But I don't think it's the same anymore.
Nora Rios, known from TV series such as "Kalifat" and "Heartbeats", plays Malin. She says the series has moved forward carefully to preserve the fine old heritage, but still make something modern out of it.
I think the whole series is still placed in a modern context. And then some of the characters become more modern. But the Astrid Lindgren tone and heritage are still preserved and present.
The new "Vi på Saltkråkan" premieres on SVT in 2025.
SF Studios and SVT are producing the new "Vi på Saltkråkan", which will be broadcast in six episodes in 2025.
The original series was broadcast in 13 episodes in 1964, featuring Torsten Lilliecrona and Louise Edlind, as well as Maria Johansson as Tjorven.
