The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “The Last Journey” showing Oct. 31-Nov. 6 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre.

“The Last Journey” was Sweden’s official submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Film and the highest grossing documentary in Swedish history.

The film is an emotional and hilarious story with a life-affirming message that explores a loving son’s attempts to coax his aging father into reengaging with life by embarking on a joyous, heartfelt road trip through the South of France.

When Lars Hammar — after 40 years as a beloved teacher in Koping — retires, he envisions a delightful “third stage” with travel, wine and experiences together with his wife Tiina. But it doesn’t turn out as he had hoped.

Instead of indulging in life’s pleasures, Lars becomes increasingly passive and lacking in willpower at home in his leather armchair — to the great frustration and despair of both Tiina and their son Filip. That’s when Filip gets an idea – to take his frail old father to his beloved France and let him revisi the places he has loved most in life. By retracing the same road trip the family used to take when Filip was a child and secretly orchestrating some of life’s most delightful moments, he hopes to reignite Lars’ zest for life.

With the help of his best friend Frederik, some hefty doses of optimism and creativity as well as an old orange Renault 4, the adventure can begin.

“A completely delightful movie, and a journey you don’t want to miss.” — Movie Zone

“Crushingly fantastic. Genuinely funny.” — Everyone’s Radio

“The Last Journey” will be shown at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre Oct. 31-Nov. 6. Showtimes will be Friday, Sunday and Thursday, Oct. 31, Nov. 2 and 6 at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 1, 3 and 4 at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.