Kadisbellan
(THE SLINGSHOT) ((SWEDISH-COLOR))
Read other reviews about this film
Roland Schutt ... Jesper Salen
Fritiof Schutt ... Stellan Skarsgard
Zipa Schutt ... Basia Frydman
Bertil Schutt ... Niclas Olund
Teacher Lundin ... Ernst-Hugo Jaregard
Hinke Bergegren ... Reine Brynolisson
Bitt-Margit ... Frida Hallgren
has definite potential to become a big hit in Scandinavia and legs strong enough to carry it throughout the world.
Pic is based on an autobiographical novel by Roland Schutt about his life in Stockholm in the 1920s and '30s. Tome's unusual structure led most observers to consider it unfilmable, but writer-director Ake Sandgren has done a terrific job of extracting episodes and moods from the book so as to preserve its essence.
That essence consists of burlesque comedy, brooding atmosphere and optimism. Roland's father is a devoted socialist with a bad leg and no desire to do real work. Mother, a Jewish refugee from Russia, runs a tobacco shop where she also secretly sells condoms, which were outlawed in Sweden at the time.
As both a Jew and a socialist, Roland suffers from prejudice at school and from his mates, but he has a spirit that always keep him going, even when things turn black. He's also an inventive young man, making slingshots from steel and condoms that he peddles to neighborhood boys, and eventually managing to take revenge on his sadistic teacher and principal.
Acting is superb, especially young Jesper Salen as Roland and the leering Ernst-Hugo Jaregard as his racist, sadistic teacher. Production design, in particular, is also tops, creating a realistic picture of a Stockholm that no longer exists.
Although a couple of side stories are not sufficiently developed, Sandgren has created a film that is thoroughly entertaining and that has enough levels to keep it resonant with viewers long after the credits roll.
Camera (color), Goran Nilsson; editor, Grete Moldrup; music, Bjorn Isfalt; production design, Lasse Westfelt; costumes, Inger Pehrsson; sound, Wille Peterson-Berger, Jean-Frederik Axelsson. Reviewed at the Svensk screening room, Stockholm, Sweden , Aug. 9, 1993. Running time: 101 MIN.
Variety is striving to present the most thorough review database. To report inaccuracies in review credits, please click here. We do not currently list below-the-line credits, although we hope to include them in the future. Please note we may not respond to every suggestion. Your assistance is appreciated.
