An upper grade school class with its inter-relations, scheming and sniffing around for the scent of adult pleasures, all caught in near-cinema verité style.

A man grows up in very modest circumstances in the early years of the 20th century, but his diligence, intelligence and willingness to endure hardship helps him to become a leading brain surgeon. A success story on the face of it, but a story about a man – who is none other than the director's father – a man of powerful emotions. The film explores the nature and origin of the guilt that repeatedly deprived him of happiness.

A young woman who falls in love with her teacher is hit by heartache and challenges she is not prepared for and struggles to escape her dark frame of mind.

In SORROW AND JOY filmmaker Johannes and his wife, schoolteacher Signe, experience the biggest sorrow and misfortune one can ever imagine. Nevertheless, in all the hopelessness they must try to reach for mutual and mature love in order to continue life after death. Director Nils Malmros is one of Danish films most significant personalities and during the last forty years his characters have always had a strong autobiographical element. Being his most personal film to date, SORROW AND JOY is no exception.