Presented in collaboration with Klubb Super 8, The Swedish Film Institute, The Swedish Institute

Sweden has, in many ways, been considered an international front-runner in regards to social reforms, health care, equality between the sexes, freedom of speech and actively working against bigotry and double-standards. All this was reflected in Swedish cinema, starting most evidently in the mid-1950’s (Ingmar Bergman’s SUMMER WITH MONIKA) and leading up to the sexual revolution of the late 1960’s and early 70’s (including Vilgot Sjöman’s three I AM CURIOUS pictures). The films became internationally celebrated and respected for challenging many of the stifling bourgeois rules and regulations of the time. Many of the movies had a freshness and directness that really hit a note with the international audience. Of course, as time went by, the films became more exploitative, and helped coin phrases like "Swedish Sin." In the end, the impact of these pictures can be gauged by just how many people still associate Sweden with skinny dipping, promiscuity and voluptuous blondes.

This cinematic theme has been studied by the movie buffs at Klubb Super 8, a Swedish film club/DVD label dedicated to bringing back parts of Swedish film history that have never been adequately studied. Today we see an increasing intolerance in the world, with growing fundamentalist groups espousing various beliefs, claiming to have the moral and religious right to condemn other people‘s moral standards, sexual preferences and political convictions – and even threatening others who disagree. At this point in time, it can be useful to look back at more liberal, innocent and happy times for guidance.

We are very excited to have two bold pioneers from the era as our special in-person guests: Christina Lindberg, Sweden’s most famous centerfold and exploitation film star, with more than 22 roles to her credit, including SWEDISH NYMPHET and THRILLER – A CRUEL PICTURE (Christina’s vengeance-driven girl with an eye-patch was one of the prime inspirations for Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL films); and legendary Swedish film producer, Inge Ivarson, a veteran of more then 60 movies who forever transformed the world of cinema through the explicit sex education film, THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE, and helped change the regulations of the Swedish Board of Censors

SWEDISH NYMPHET (ANITA – UR EN TONARSFLICKAS DAGBOK), 1973, Swedish Filmproductions, 95 min. Torgny Wickman directs Stellan Skarsgård as a young psychology student living in a hippie commune who tries to cure a teenage nymphomaniac (Christina Lindberg) who comes from a traumatized background. One of three Swedish Seventies sexploitation films starring Skarsgård before he became a Hollywood star. English-subtitled print courtesy of Klubb Super 8. Due to explicit images and subject matter, no one under 17 will be admitted. Discussion following film with actress Christina Lindberg and members of Klubb Super 8.

Saturday, April 29 – 9:00 PM

Double Feature:

THRILLER – A CRUEL PICTURE (THRILLER – EN GRYM FILM aka THEY CALL HER ONE-EYE.) 1974, Synapse Films, 105 min. Director Bo A. Vibenius’ notorious, violent sexploitation woman’s revenge movie about a young, innocent, mute girl (Christina Lindberg) who is forced into addiction and prostitution by an evil pimp (Heinz Hopf). She plans her revenge by training in martial arts, marksmanship and fast-car-driving(!). One of the major inspirations for Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL films. Originally produced by BAV Film AB.

EXPOSED (EXPONERAD), 1971, Synapse Films, 92 min. Dir. Gustav Wiklund. Troubled teenager, Lena (Christina Lindberg) is caught between her innocent boyfriend and a perverted photographer (Heinz Hopf, from THRILLER), and flees on an odyssey of sex and violence in the beautiful summer landscape of Sweden. Flashbacks, violent fantasies and reality blend in the sexually-disoriented girl’s mind. Because of this film’s rarity, it will be screened from DVD, in Swedish dialogue with English subtitles, courtesy of Klubb Super 8. Due to explicit images and subject matter, no one under 17 will be admitted. Discussion in between films with actress Christina Lindberg and members of Klubb Super 8.

THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE (KARLEKENS SPRAK), 1969, Swedish Filmproduction Investment AB, 102 min. Dir. Torgny Wickman. Groundbreaking producer Inge Ivarson’s pioneering Swedish sex education movie broke all box-office records. The first Swedish feature production to include explicit sex, but most of all a group of sexologists talking, smoking and drinking a lot of coffee (just to get the film through the Board of Censors!). The kind of picture that Robert De Niro takes Cybill Shepherd to see in TAXI DRIVER. Music by Bjorn & Benny from ABBA! With Inge and Sten Hegeler, Maj-Brith Bergström-Walan. Dubbed-in English print courtesy of Klubb Super 8. Due to explicit images and subject matter, no one under 17 will be admitted. Discussion following film with producer, Inge Ivarson and members of Klubb Super 8.

Sunday, April 30 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

THE XYZ OF LOVE (KARLELENS XYZ), 1971, Swedish Filmproduction Investment AB, 104 min. Dir. Torgny Wickman. Even more sex education, the third out of four films from the same precocious producer, Inge Ivarson. This time it’s the legal aspects of divorce, rape and immorality, as well as an orgy in a hippie commune. More exploitative than the well-meaning and very basic first film. With Inge and Sten Hegeler, Maj-Brith Bergström-Walan. English-subtitled print courtesy of Klubb Super 8.