491 (1964)
Directed by Vilgot Sjöman
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Juvenile Delinquency Film |
Run Time - 110 min. |
Countries - Sweden |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Based on a Lars Goerling novel, the Swedish 491 took on a life of its own thanks to its myriad of censorship problems. The basic story concerns a group of juvenile delinquents, in particular a girl (Lena Nyman) and a boy (Leif Nymark). The film's censorial sore points included scenes between homosexuals and an interlude with a prostitute; also, bestiality was suggested, though never shown. Filmmaker Vilgot Sjoman had to go all the way to Swedish Parliament to get his film into theatres; this he accomplished only after making several judicious cuts, and redubbing certain dialogue passages. In the US, the film didn't have a chance; this was, after all still the Production Era. Bloody but unbowed, Vilgot Sjoman went on to direct the even more graphic and controversial I Am Curious-Yellow (1967) - which did get an American release.
Characteristics
Themes
Keywords
delinquency, experiment, homosexual, prostitute/prostitution, sexual-deviation, teenagers, angst, rebel