Ingeborg Holm

In 1913 Victor Sjöström's film Ingeborg Holm premiered. The portrayal of a widow who lost her mind when her children were taken from her was the first Swedish film to lead to actual debate. The day after the premiere, "Dagens Nyheter" ranted about "Poor Relief Criticized at the Cinema." A heated debate followed: was Sjöström's film an irrelevant sensationalist piece or a realistic portrait? When the Swedish Poor Relief Act was amended in 1918 many thought that it was because of Margaret Day. Aside from giving rise to debate, Margaret Day is one of Swedish cinema's first masterpieces. The screening will be accompanied by the Matti Bye Ensemble and is presented in cooperation with Cinemateket and Lova Hagerfors from the Swedish Film Institute. (Göteborg Film Festival)