A Produktions Gruppen Wechselmann production, with the support of SFI, NFTF, Media Desk, Konstnarsnamnden, SVT, NRK RVE, YLE. Produced, directed by Maj Wechselmann. Written by Wechselmann, Judith Hollander, Agneta Wallin.
Narrators: Gunilla Nyroos, Agneta Wallin.
In "Bang and World History," veteran documaker Maj Wechselmann uses diaries, letters and published writings by taboo-breaking Swedish journalist Barbro Alving -- the pseudonymous Bang -- to paint a verbal portrait of this fascinating woman in her own words. Painstaking approach preserves Alving's unique voice as well as her humor, honesty and self-criticism. Pacey and informative, "Bang" is well suited to Eurocasters as well as gay and femme-centered fests.
Born to literary parents in 1909 (she died in 1987), bisexual Alving aspired to be a journalist early on, covering the 1936 Berlin Olympics and Spanish Civil War on her own initiative and earning kudos. An affair with a married colleague culminated with the birth of daughter Ruffa in 1938; longtime live-in love Loyse Siocrona cared for Ruffa while Alving reported on WWII from various hot spots. Her intimate knowledge of war -- and postwar misery -- led her to take a stand as an antinuclear activist, for which she was later jailed. Aptly chosen archival footage and photos illustrate much of Alving's career progression, but digitally shot effort falls short when it has to create new visuals.
Camera (color/B&W, DigiBeta), Hans Ake Lerin. Reviewed at Gothenburg Film Festival (Swedish World Premieres), Jan. 30, 2008. Original title: Bang ich varldshistorien. Running time: 74 MIN.
Narrators: Gunilla Nyroos, Agneta Wallin.
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