There is a niche audience for this film- it is the new immigrant to Sweden. I myself have been living in Sweden now for 5 years and I have suffered extreme loneliness since moving here. Many foreigners will agree that it's extremely difficult to make new friends in Sweden and acclimatize to the social isolation. This film clarified the cultural significance of this phenomenon within a historical context. It answered such questions as: Why do most people not know their neighbors? Why does it feel so isolating compared to my homeland? Why does nobody talk about how strange it all seems? How did it become this way?
I can understand why this wouldn't be interested to a.) someone who doesn't live in Sweden or b.) a Swede who was raised here and sees it as business as usual.
But since I have wondered about all this for some time, it was elucidating.
I don't agree with the contrast between Sweden and Ethiopia, however. In the film, Ethiopia is described to be poor in wealth but rich in community, while Sweden is financially wealthy yet socially barren. Societies in such countries as Ethiopia have complex social systems which are restricting in their own ways and should not be romanticized as utopian.
The masturbation scene will sadly not allow me to show this to my parents, since they are old and prudish. Just a fair warning if you want to show this to your old and prudish parents too.
I can understand why this wouldn't be interested to a.) someone who doesn't live in Sweden or b.) a Swede who was raised here and sees it as business as usual.
But since I have wondered about all this for some time, it was elucidating.
I don't agree with the contrast between Sweden and Ethiopia, however. In the film, Ethiopia is described to be poor in wealth but rich in community, while Sweden is financially wealthy yet socially barren. Societies in such countries as Ethiopia have complex social systems which are restricting in their own ways and should not be romanticized as utopian.
The masturbation scene will sadly not allow me to show this to my parents, since they are old and prudish. Just a fair warning if you want to show this to your old and prudish parents too.