[center][/center]
(DVD) (First Viewing, 1st Zetterling film)
It stars Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Gunnel Lindblom and Eva Dahlbeck. It's photographed by Sven Nykvist. It's in Swedish. An Ingmar Bergman film, no? Surprisingly, its not. Though certainly indebted to the Swedish master both thematically
and stylistically, LOVING COUPLES is the directoral debut of Mai Zetterling, a Swedish actress who gave up a career in Hollywood to pursue her fiercely independent directoral ambitions. Ironically titled, this adaptation of a 3,000 page novel series by Swedish author Agnes von Krusenstjerna (who has been likened to both Proust and D.H. Lawrence) was a perfect vehicle for Zetterling's goals and aspirations as a feminist filmmaker. Carrying its feminist agenda on its sleeve, it boldly takes on such taboo topics as pregnancy, sexual fulfillment, sexual repression, adultery, premarital sex, lesbianism, male homosexuality, bisexuality and pedophilia-- but the films possesses an earnestness and keen sensitivity propelled through Zetterling's focus on the emotional turbulence of the various situations which prevent it from ever falling into mere exploitation.
Zetterling proves to be a surprisingly sophisticated director, and LOVING COUPLES has been compared to CITIZEN KANE at the time of its release. Sven Nykvist's stark black and white cinematography is gorgeous, and the acting is all-around excellent. After seeing this film, I can only say that in my mind, for better or worse. Ingmar Bergman no longer holds a monopoly on Swedish cinema. I'm certainly curious to see more.
February 4, 2006
