25 years ago, the popular children’s program Back to the Milky Way series was broadcast. In the program, viewers were allowed to follow a crew on a spaceship. The series was also broadcast live as the summer holiday programs Vintergatan 5a and 5b. There, children could call in to help the crew during their adventure.
Now the classic returns as a short film, written and directed by Martin Fallhagen. He has made three films in the past that revolve around his group housing. The collective consists of a group of people who all have functional variations.
For News24 says Martin Fallhagen that the next film will be called “The Earth Calls”. It’s a bit of a sequel to his latest film “Party, Trouble and a Space Hero”, but can be seen independently. In the film, viewers will get to follow Martin’s group residents as they fly into space and must be helped to find them The fifth.
The group housing must be in Greece before they end up in space. Photo: WizworksMira is seen in the crew of the Milky Way again
Several well-known faces can be seen in the crew, among others Philomene Grandin. She played the role of Mira when the series aired in the early 2000s. Now she returns and will even wear the same outfit that Mira wore back then.
– It feels great. We found my old spacesuit so I’m wearing it.
Philomène Grandin returns as Mira. Photo: Wizworks
For many millennials, Back to the Milky Way was a big part of childhood and many remember the live summer vacation episodes. The studio is preserved in a museum in Ystad and that is where the film crew is for the recording now.
Philomène Grandin says many children thought the crew was really in space. She tells how she met her husband during the filming of The Milky Way, and how he had said that to a child.
– This child looked at him with huge eyes and said “but how is that possible? She’s in space”.
The Milky Way is in Ystad. Photo: Wizworks The character Peo from the Milky Way returns
Anders Linder was another character who helped create the magic of the Milky Way. He played the driver Peo in the Milky Way series and also returns for the new film. This time the gangs must save Femman with the help of Martin’s group accommodation.
Martin Fallhagen has been working on the script for “The Earth Calls” for four years. He is already a fan of the Milky Way and says that he himself has been watching the series since the early 2000s.
– That’s how I got the idea, says Martin Fallhagen.
Petter Bragee who created the Milky Way in the 21st century, visited during the filming of “The Earth Calls”. No production company has previously been approved to film in the studio, but he has given Martin permission to film there and use the old costumes.
– So he is also tender for this project, says Philomène Grandin to Nyheter24.
“The Earth Calls” is written and directed by Martin Fallhagen, who has Down syndrome
Philomène Grandin believes that Petter Bragée appreciates the project so much partly because it is unique and has been written and directed by a person with Down syndrome. Then he probably likes the film’s message about the equal value of all people.
– That is probably one reason why Petter likes this project so much. That more people should have their voices heard. It’s not often that someone with Down syndrome gets to step forward and do a project like this.
She says that the atmosphere has been very good during the recording, with lots of hugs and kisses. But that it was necessary to take a little more breaks than she is used to during a recording.
– So far, it’s going great. But sometimes it can be an actor who says “No, now I have to sleep”, says Philomène with a laugh.
There is a lot of hugging during the recording of “The Earth Calls”. Photo: WizworksFans are raving about the Milky Way’s comeback
She has noticed that the response for a new Milky Way has been huge.
– I know there are so many Milky Way fans. I just posted a little bit on Instagram and got so many messages. It feels like, oh, what a craving there is, says Philomène.
When Better Bragée visited the recording, they discussed how the timing of the production is optimal.
– Petter said that now is the time to make a new Milky Way. Those who were children in the early 2000s have grown up now and started having children of their own, whom they want to see the Milky Way. So who knows… you have to keep your fingers crossed, says Philomène.
The creator of the Milky Way, Petter Bragée, has visited the filming of “The Earth Calls”. Photo: Wizworks