Using a 2006 book by history professor Lars TrƤgĆ„rdh (who co-authored with Henrik Berggren) called āIs the Swede Humanā as a starting point, Erik Gandini explores the Swedish model and its downsides ā hereās a people so independent and individualistic that theyāve forgotten that no man is an island. Gandini has ideas on how to illustrate the rise of loneliness in Sweden, but as in his earlier films the approach lacks focus; the film touches on sensitive truths about society (this isnāt just a Swedish phenomenon), but when all is said and done we have learned exactly nothing. Still, thereās an interesting visit with a Danish doctor in Ethiopiaā¦ and a bunch of druggy hippies in the woods.
2016-Sweden. 80 min. Color-B/W. Directed byĀ Erik Gandini.
