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00:00:20,729 --> 00:00:38,872
"Dear Herr Thorsten Hedlund...
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00:00:40,123 --> 00:00:44,962
"It appears to me that heaven is
much nearer to us than we think
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"perhaps because I'm closer to it!
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00:00:48,590 --> 00:00:52,094
"I'm not mistaken
about my approaching end.
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00:00:52,344 --> 00:00:56,974
"It seems to me more likely than ever.
Although I don't know why!"
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00:00:58,016 --> 00:01:01,144
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00:01:22,958 --> 00:01:28,964
"My soul rejoices at the thought
that there's a place up there
9
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"resembling this quite beautiful earth
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00:01:33,594 --> 00:01:39,850
"for to pass directly to an infinite
realm has never appealed to me."
11
00:01:41,226 --> 00:01:44,229
"I imagine it to be like Switzerland
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00:01:44,479 --> 00:01:49,109
"and shall never forget
my first impression of Switzerland
13
00:01:49,359 --> 00:01:52,487
"as the train descended
from the Jura.
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00:01:52,738 --> 00:01:57,242
"I thought I was seeing
cloud formations of a wondrous beauty
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00:01:57,492 --> 00:02:00,621
"but then it dawned on me:
They were the Alps!"
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00:02:27,105 --> 00:02:42,746
"It's heaven itself, said my children.
And my wife burst into tears."
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00:04:06,622 --> 00:04:13,337
Well. There you are.
Iwas almost certain you would come.
18
00:04:15,088 --> 00:04:17,466
So you called then?
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00:04:18,592 --> 00:04:20,469
I felt it.
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00:04:22,721 --> 00:04:25,224
Why are you sitting here?
21
00:04:25,724 --> 00:04:31,104
Well. I know of no other
place to sit while I wait.
22
00:04:34,858 --> 00:04:40,364
- What are you waiting for?
- If only I knew...
23
00:04:43,492 --> 00:04:53,085
I've waited 40 years for happiness,
or rather the end of unhappiness.
24
00:04:55,087 --> 00:05:01,093
Listen again to this dismal music.
25
00:05:02,344 --> 00:05:04,596
Don't go.
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00:05:07,599 --> 00:05:10,102
I'll be scared if you go.
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00:05:45,345 --> 00:05:51,977
Strindberg wrote the play
The Freethinker in 1869.
28
00:05:52,227 --> 00:05:57,232
It is one of his first plays,
perhaps the very first.
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00:05:57,858 --> 00:06:02,487
He wrote under the pseudonym
Herrved Ulv.
30
00:06:03,488 --> 00:06:07,367
During this period Strindberg
studied in Uppsala
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00:06:07,618 --> 00:06:13,081
and applied to get into
Stockholm's School of Dramatic Arts
32
00:06:13,332 --> 00:06:15,459
but was not accepted.
33
00:06:16,835 --> 00:06:19,963
At this time he was at odds
with his father
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00:06:20,214 --> 00:06:22,466
who wanted him to be a chemist.
35
00:06:23,091 --> 00:06:29,473
The play is about a young man who
breaks with his family's traditions
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00:06:30,224 --> 00:06:34,978
and leaves his country to follow
his own conscience and ideals.
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00:06:39,107 --> 00:06:43,987
In the preface Strindberg
quotes Jesus:
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00:06:45,113 --> 00:06:47,491
"I came not to bring peace...
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00:06:47,991 --> 00:06:49,743
"but a sword."
40
00:07:03,465 --> 00:07:07,594
"Beloved Mummy...
41
00:07:08,345 --> 00:07:12,474
"Thank you for your warm,
friendly, loving letter.
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00:07:12,850 --> 00:07:18,355
"It did my wounded heart good to know
you still feel tenderness towards me
43
00:07:18,856 --> 00:07:26,238
"and I hope that in the future.
Though humanity may condemn me
44
00:07:26,738 --> 00:07:31,869
"you will always love me as
your daughter and believe me.
45
00:07:32,870 --> 00:07:36,206
"August has never been my lover.
46
00:07:36,707 --> 00:07:43,839
"But my firm intention is, as soon as
the law allows, to become his wife.
47
00:07:46,216 --> 00:07:52,347
"It's hard to describe.
For I have a very strange nature.
48
00:07:52,848 --> 00:07:57,603
"It's hard to describe
what is going on in my heart.
49
00:08:00,230 --> 00:08:05,736
"The person who once enters it will,
however. Never leave again.
50
00:08:05,986 --> 00:08:12,242
"Even though I appear cold and hard,
I have a rich measure of affection
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00:08:12,492 --> 00:08:16,205
"and gratitude towards those
who have been good to me."
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00:09:26,984 --> 00:09:43,333
Siri von Essen
born August 17. 1850
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00:09:47,087 --> 00:10:01,476
August Strindberg
born January 22, 1849
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00:10:08,233 --> 00:10:21,705
THE FREETHINKER
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00:10:52,736 --> 00:10:55,239
Merely to sit here...
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00:10:56,114 --> 00:10:59,868
just to spend an hour with you...
57
00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:09,211
This would be comfort to any soul.
It is for mine.
58
00:11:10,212 --> 00:11:13,340
For a soul that burns as mine does...
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00:11:18,846 --> 00:11:22,349
the relief is indescribable.
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00:11:25,227 --> 00:11:30,858
- Beautiful words.
- But you are beautiful.
61
00:11:32,860 --> 00:11:39,241
So beautiful you deserve to hear
beautiful words again and again.
62
00:11:43,328 --> 00:11:43,579
In Berlin. Strindberg meets with
Stanislaw Przybyszewski. "Popoffsky"
63
00:11:43,579 --> 00:11:47,708
In Berlin. Strindberg meets with
Stanislaw Przybyszewski. "Popoffsky"
64
00:11:47,833 --> 00:11:51,211
Polish author, Satanist.
And brilliant pianist...
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00:11:51,587 --> 00:11:52,462
who once rewrote the
First Book of Moses to read
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00:11:52,462 --> 00:11:53,964
Is it Forsberg?
Who once rewrote the
First Book of Moses to read
67
00:11:53,964 --> 00:11:55,716
who once rewrote the
First Book of Moses to read
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00:11:55,966 --> 00:11:57,593
"In the Beginning there was Sex..."
69
00:11:57,593 --> 00:11:59,469
- Stop now!
- You and your damned lesbiansl
"In the Beginning there was Sex..."
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00:12:00,846 --> 00:12:03,098
You're ridiculous!
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00:12:03,348 --> 00:12:07,352
Can you answer me?
You lie so much you believe yourself!
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00:12:07,978 --> 00:12:13,358
- Can you answer me?
- I have never lied to you!
73
00:12:13,734 --> 00:12:15,611
You do nothing else!
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00:12:15,861 --> 00:12:19,740
How many times have you deceived me?
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00:12:20,490 --> 00:12:24,578
- The time's come.
- Stop now!
76
00:12:25,454 --> 00:12:28,707
- Can you stop lying. Woman?
- You're mad!
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Bend forward.
78
00:12:36,215 --> 00:12:40,469
Sooner or later the truth will out.
So you may as well tell me now!
Strindberg. Engaged to be married
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00:12:40,844 --> 00:12:43,222
What do you get out of this?
With the young Austrian
journalist Frida Uhl
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00:12:43,222 --> 00:12:45,974
with the young Austrian
journalist Frida Uhl
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00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:46,600
has an affair with Popoffsky's
fiancée, Dagny Juell.
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00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,978
I won't take this any morel
has an affair with Popoffsky's
fiancée, Dagny Juell.
83
00:12:49,978 --> 00:12:50,854
Has an affair with Popoffsky's
fiancée, Dagny Juell.
84
00:12:50,854 --> 00:12:53,232
Don't hit me!
Has an affair with Popoffsky's
fiancée, Dagny Juell.
85
00:12:53,232 --> 00:12:53,732
Has an affair with Popoffsky's
fiancée, Dagny Juell.
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00:13:05,077 --> 00:13:05,327
Two weeks later he marries Frida.
87
00:13:05,327 --> 00:13:10,082
How many times? With whom?
How many times?
Two weeks later he marries Frida.
88
00:13:10,082 --> 00:13:11,959
Two weeks later he marries Frida.
89
00:13:11,959 --> 00:13:13,585
Can you answer me?
Two weeks later he marries Frida.
90
00:13:13,585 --> 00:13:14,336
Two weeks later he marries Frida.
91
00:13:16,713 --> 00:13:23,846
Can you answer me?
Open the door! With whom?
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00:13:30,477 --> 00:13:33,730
He believes that Popoffsky
will kill him
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00:13:33,981 --> 00:13:38,861
and writes that he hears the Pole
playing through the wall.
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00:14:41,089 --> 00:14:51,350
1894. Frida Uhl and Strindberg
separate after six months marriage.
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00:14:52,351 --> 00:14:58,106
August Strinberg and Frida Uhl's
child Kerstin
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00:14:58,357 --> 00:15:04,238
is left in Austria
with Frida's grandparents.
97
00:15:05,113 --> 00:15:14,831
Kerstin will never see her
father again.
98
00:15:35,477 --> 00:15:45,737
1896. Strindberg is in Paris.
He has no money.
99
00:15:45,988 --> 00:15:51,827
He has now abandoned
writing dramas and novels
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00:15:52,077 --> 00:16:01,086
and is painting and experimenting
in various fields of science.
101
00:16:01,587 --> 00:16:16,101
He photographs the moon
without a camera or lens.
102
00:16:16,351 --> 00:16:26,236
He turns to alchemy, trying to make gold
by mixing copper and sulphate of iron.
103
00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:32,576
Strindberg is now deep into
the existential and religious crisis
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00:16:32,826 --> 00:16:37,206
which will become known as
the "Inferno crisis".
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00:16:37,456 --> 00:16:47,090
His hands are bleeding.
106
00:17:07,110 --> 00:17:12,115
Now I'll read a little from Inferno
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00:17:14,451 --> 00:17:18,205
which I'll write a year from now.
108
00:17:20,207 --> 00:17:30,968
"Back once again in my miserable
student's room in the Latin Quarter
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00:17:31,218 --> 00:17:38,851
"I delved into my trunk...
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00:17:39,351 --> 00:17:43,355
"and drew forth from their hiding place
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00:17:43,605 --> 00:17:55,826
"six crucibles of fine porcelain
which I had robbed myself to buy."
112
00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:02,958
I'm expected to work here...
113
00:18:03,834 --> 00:18:07,588
expected to work in a room that is...
114
00:18:09,214 --> 00:18:11,341
that grows smaller every second.
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00:18:38,577 --> 00:18:45,834
After 15 years of marriage
with August Strindberg
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00:18:46,210 --> 00:18:53,592
Siri von Essen returns to
her homeland, Finland...
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00:18:54,092 --> 00:19:03,727
together with their three children.
Karin. Greta and Hans.
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00:19:05,854 --> 00:19:09,983
Out there in the yard
119
00:19:10,234 --> 00:19:15,113
just outside my damned window
120
00:19:15,489 --> 00:19:18,825
there are a hundred toilets.
121
00:19:19,076 --> 00:19:26,083
Take note, they have built
a hundred toilets outside a hotel.
122
00:19:26,834 --> 00:19:33,966
Did you ever hear of such a thing?
How could anyone be so stupid
123
00:19:34,216 --> 00:19:39,847
as to build a hundred toilets just
outside a wall where people live?
124
00:19:40,222 --> 00:19:43,725
And they expect you to pay for it!
125
00:19:44,476 --> 00:19:50,357
And these damned toilets will
flush up and down all night long!
126
00:19:56,238 --> 00:20:02,578
People will shit and drip...
It drips through the window here too.
127
00:20:23,599 --> 00:20:25,601
Karin.
128
00:20:31,857 --> 00:20:33,483
Strindberg wants Karin to come
and live with him and Frida
129
00:20:33,483 --> 00:20:37,988
Read this. It's from Daddy.
Strindberg wants Karin to come
and live with him and Frida
130
00:20:37,988 --> 00:20:40,073
Strindberg wants Karin to come
and live with him and Frida
131
00:20:40,324 --> 00:20:46,205
to take care of their child
and teach Frida Swedish.
132
00:23:09,598 --> 00:23:13,977
During March - April 1993.
Peter Watkins published an article
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00:23:14,228 --> 00:23:18,357
regarding the mass media
and placed it in the Orion Theatre
134
00:23:18,607 --> 00:23:22,486
at the time of our filming.
Extracts read as follows:
135
00:23:23,362 --> 00:23:31,203
"The need for alternative audio-visual
material and processes
136
00:23:31,453 --> 00:23:37,960
"within global cultures
is now painfully clear.
137
00:23:38,585 --> 00:23:47,219
"The problem has become essentially
that of power. Personal power."
138
00:24:41,857 --> 00:24:49,198
Free me from my suspicions
and I'll give up the fight.
139
00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:53,952
What suspicions?
140
00:24:58,707 --> 00:25:01,960
About who Bertha's father is.
141
00:25:03,337 --> 00:25:06,715
Are there any doubts about that?
142
00:25:07,841 --> 00:25:10,844
Yes, I have some.
143
00:25:13,597 --> 00:25:17,601
- And it's you who've raised them.
- I?
144
00:25:23,106 --> 00:25:30,697
Free me from uncertainty.
Tell me straight: It is true.
145
00:25:32,824 --> 00:25:35,577
And I will forgive you in advance.
146
00:25:35,702 --> 00:25:40,332
I can't confess to something
I haven't done.
147
00:25:45,087 --> 00:25:47,464
What does it matter to you?
148
00:25:51,718 --> 00:25:56,348
Do you think a man would
trumpet out his shame publicly?
149
00:25:59,852 --> 00:26:04,606
If I say it's not true.
You won't be convinced
150
00:26:05,357 --> 00:26:09,695
but if I say it's true.
That would convince you.
151
00:26:09,945 --> 00:26:14,074
You want it to be true.
152
00:26:14,575 --> 00:26:18,203
Do you have any grounds
for your suspicions?
153
00:26:25,836 --> 00:26:27,588
Yes and no.
154
00:26:28,589 --> 00:26:32,467
You want me to be guilty,
to be rid of me
155
00:26:32,718 --> 00:26:35,596
and get full control of the child.
156
00:26:35,971 --> 00:26:40,100
- But I won't fall into that trap.
- Laura...
157
00:26:43,228 --> 00:26:47,232
You don't understand.
158
00:26:49,610 --> 00:26:54,948
You want power over the child.
But still keep me as a provider.
159
00:26:56,074 --> 00:26:58,076
Yes, power...
160
00:26:59,453 --> 00:27:04,958
What's this life and death struggle
been about if not power?
161
00:27:08,086 --> 00:27:11,965
For me. Since I don't believe
in a life to come...
162
00:27:14,092 --> 00:27:17,221
my child was my after-life.
163
00:27:19,097 --> 00:27:26,480
My idea of immortality, perhaps the
only one with any basis in reality.
164
00:27:32,194 --> 00:27:35,948
Take that away
and you cut off my life.
165
00:27:38,700 --> 00:27:42,079
Why didn't we separate in time?
166
00:27:44,581 --> 00:27:48,335
Because the child bound us together
167
00:27:49,962 --> 00:27:53,465
but the bond became a chain.
168
00:28:02,975 --> 00:28:04,726
- Who is the father?
- You!
169
00:28:04,977 --> 00:28:06,478
No, I am not.
170
00:28:07,980 --> 00:28:12,734
A crime lies buried here
and it's beginning to stink.
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00:28:13,694 --> 00:28:16,697
And what a hellish crime!
172
00:28:18,699 --> 00:28:24,454
I've served 17 years hard labour
and I was innocent.
173
00:28:27,833 --> 00:28:33,463
- How can you repay me for that?
- You're completely mad.
174
00:28:47,352 --> 00:28:54,568
1879. Strindberg writes
The Red Room
175
00:28:54,818 --> 00:29:01,074
a devastating exposé
of corruption and hypocrisy
176
00:29:01,325 --> 00:29:04,828
in contemporary Swedish life
177
00:29:05,329 --> 00:29:11,960
combined with lyrical
descriptions of Stockholm
178
00:29:12,211 --> 00:29:15,714
the city he so loves.
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00:29:29,102 --> 00:29:30,979
Attention!
180
00:29:33,106 --> 00:29:35,817
Company, forward.
181
00:29:36,818 --> 00:29:38,570
March!
182
00:29:40,447 --> 00:29:47,704
"The Katarina Church bell rang 7 times.
Then Maria with its splenetic descant.
183
00:29:47,955 --> 00:29:53,085
"And the Great Church and German Church
chimed in with their bass
184
00:29:53,210 --> 00:29:59,591
"and soon all space quivered
with the sound of the city's 7 bells.
185
00:30:00,843 --> 00:30:05,472
"But when they grew silent.
One after the other
186
00:30:05,973 --> 00:30:12,229
"in the distance there was still one
singing its peaceful evensong.
187
00:30:12,729 --> 00:30:16,859
"It had a higher tone. A purer ring
188
00:30:17,067 --> 00:30:22,948
"and a quicker tempo than the others.
For that is what it has.
189
00:30:24,199 --> 00:30:28,954
"He listened and tried to discover
where the sound came from
190
00:30:29,204 --> 00:30:32,583
"for it seemed to awaken
a memory in him.
191
00:30:33,208 --> 00:30:35,836
"Then his features became pliant
192
00:30:36,086 --> 00:30:40,966
"and his face expressed the pain
a child experiences
193
00:30:41,091 --> 00:30:44,094
"when it feels it has been left alone.
194
00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:46,597
"And he was alone
195
00:30:46,722 --> 00:30:51,852
"because his mother and father
lay in Klara Cemetery
196
00:30:52,227 --> 00:30:55,230
"from where the bell
could still be heard.
197
00:30:55,355 --> 00:30:57,858
"And he was a child
198
00:30:58,108 --> 00:31:04,448
"for he still believed in everything,
both in truth and in fairy-tales."
199
00:31:42,694 --> 00:31:48,575
In the summer of 1875
August Strindberg is 26 years old.
200
00:31:49,826 --> 00:31:56,333
He works as an assistant at
the Royal Library in Stockholm
201
00:31:57,084 --> 00:32:01,338
and studies the roots
of the Chinese language.
202
00:32:04,341 --> 00:32:09,346
He had worked as a journalist
the past few years
203
00:32:10,848 --> 00:32:15,352
and also written his first plays...
204
00:32:16,103 --> 00:32:20,357
including The Outlaw
205
00:32:21,066 --> 00:32:27,948
The Freethinkerand his
future masterpiece Master Olof...
206
00:32:28,699 --> 00:32:34,580
which was refused
by the Royal Dramatic Theatre.
207
00:32:35,455 --> 00:32:41,587
Afew weeks earlier a friend had
been in touch with Strindberg.
208
00:32:42,462 --> 00:32:45,465
An opera singer
209
00:32:46,466 --> 00:32:52,598
who asked him to look
after his girl-friend
210
00:32:53,473 --> 00:32:56,476
while the opera singer
went to Finland.
211
00:32:57,102 --> 00:32:59,730
The girl's name was Ina Forsten.
212
00:33:12,075 --> 00:33:19,958
Looking after this girl turned into
an amorous summer adventure.
213
00:33:21,835 --> 00:33:29,593
And one day Ina takes Strindberg
on a shopping tour in Stockholm.
214
00:33:32,596 --> 00:33:37,476
This is the beginning of some scenes
215
00:33:38,852 --> 00:33:43,815
from Strindberg's marriage
to Siri von Essen.
216
00:33:44,566 --> 00:33:51,573
12 years later these scenes
appeared in A Madman's Defence.
217
00:33:54,076 --> 00:33:55,327
Oh. Hello.
218
00:33:56,954 --> 00:33:58,330
Hello. Ina.
219
00:33:59,331 --> 00:34:04,837
This is Baroness Wrangel.
And this is Mr. Strindberg.
220
00:34:06,213 --> 00:34:07,840
How do you do?
221
00:34:17,724 --> 00:34:20,602
I hope you received my invitation.
222
00:34:20,978 --> 00:34:23,480
Thursday...
223
00:34:24,231 --> 00:34:29,570
- I'm looking forward to it.
- I'll expect you at seven.
224
00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:33,073
That'll be fine.
225
00:34:34,449 --> 00:34:37,703
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye. Baroness.
226
00:34:54,970 --> 00:35:00,100
"It was on Drottninggatan,
one burning summer's day
227
00:35:00,350 --> 00:35:04,855
"we met on the crowded pavement,
you and I."
228
00:35:06,565 --> 00:35:08,066
Excuse me.
229
00:35:10,319 --> 00:35:12,946
May I ask you a question?
230
00:35:15,824 --> 00:35:18,327
What are you doing here?
231
00:35:18,827 --> 00:35:24,708
It's to be an apartment house.
232
00:35:25,459 --> 00:35:32,466
- An apartment house? For whom?
- For the rich.
233
00:35:33,467 --> 00:35:35,093
For the rich?
234
00:35:39,097 --> 00:35:41,600
How do you feel about that?
235
00:35:43,101 --> 00:35:46,980
- There should be housing for all.
- Sorry, I didn't hear you.
236
00:35:47,105 --> 00:35:51,818
- There should be housing for all.
- For all?
237
00:35:52,819 --> 00:35:58,325
Yes, so the poor could live better.
238
00:35:59,701 --> 00:36:04,081
Is it usual for women
to work on buildings?
239
00:36:05,082 --> 00:36:06,333
Yes.
240
00:36:11,213 --> 00:36:14,466
We have to earn as much as we can.
241
00:36:15,342 --> 00:36:20,848
These are hard times, so we must.
242
00:36:21,348 --> 00:36:28,480
- How much do you earn?
- Less than the men.
243
00:36:28,689 --> 00:36:30,190
- Less than the men?
- Yes.
244
00:36:30,440 --> 00:36:38,574
- Do you have a family to support?
- Yes. Four children. So it's hard.
245
00:36:41,326 --> 00:36:47,583
1850. There are 20.000 children
born in wedlock in Stockholm.
246
00:36:47,958 --> 00:36:51,336
And 15.000 illegitimate children.
247
00:36:51,837 --> 00:36:58,093
Over 40% of the children born
in Stockholm at this time
248
00:36:58,343 --> 00:37:02,097
are to unmarried mothers.
249
00:37:08,604 --> 00:37:11,315
Almighty God and Father.
250
00:37:11,815 --> 00:37:15,944
We are in need
and know not what to do.
251
00:37:16,820 --> 00:37:19,448
Hide not Thy face.
252
00:37:20,199 --> 00:37:22,451
Carl Oscar Strindberg. Aged 44
253
00:37:22,451 --> 00:37:23,327
Abandon us not and take not
Thy hand from us.
Carl Oscar Strindberg. Aged 44
254
00:37:23,327 --> 00:37:23,577
Abandon us not and take not
Thy hand from us.
255
00:37:23,577 --> 00:37:26,580
Abandon us not and take not
Thy hand from us.
Commissioner for a steamship company
256
00:37:26,580 --> 00:37:27,206
commissioner for a steamship company
257
00:37:27,206 --> 00:37:27,331
You can not have
forgotten to be merciful
commissioner for a steamship company
258
00:37:27,331 --> 00:37:27,581
You can not have
forgotten to be merciful
259
00:37:27,581 --> 00:37:30,459
You can not have
forgotten to be merciful
carrying freight and passengers
on Lake Mنlaren.
260
00:37:30,459 --> 00:37:31,460
Carrying freight and passengers
on Lake Mنlaren.
261
00:37:31,460 --> 00:37:32,711
Nor out of wrath can You
refuse us Your compassion.
Carrying freight and passengers
on Lake Mنlaren.
262
00:37:32,711 --> 00:37:36,590
Nor out of wrath can You
refuse us Your compassion.
263
00:37:37,341 --> 00:37:43,722
Punish us for our misdeeds
but help us still, for Thy name's sake.
264
00:37:44,223 --> 00:37:44,723
Ulrika Eleonora Norling, aged 32,
earlier a serving girl
265
00:37:44,723 --> 00:37:51,230
You are with us still. Lord. We are
Thy children, baptized to be Thine.
Ulrika Eleonora Norling, aged 32.
Earlier a serving girl
266
00:37:51,230 --> 00:37:51,313
You are with us still. Lord. We are
Thy children, baptized to be Thine.
267
00:37:51,313 --> 00:37:52,689
You are with us still. Lord. We are
Thy children, baptized to be Thine.
Later Carl Oscar's house-keeper
and mistress before they married.
268
00:37:52,689 --> 00:37:52,940
Later Carl Oscar's house-keeper
and mistress before they married.
269
00:37:52,940 --> 00:37:58,195
Restore our joy and
lift us from misery.
Later Carl Oscar's house-keeper
and mistress before they married.
270
00:37:58,195 --> 00:37:58,320
Later Carl Oscar's house-keeper
and mistress before they married.
271
00:37:58,320 --> 00:37:59,446
Whatever comes...
later Carl Oscar's house-keeper
and mistress before they married.
272
00:37:59,947 --> 00:38:06,954
Withdraw not our comfort
that you are our Father.
273
00:38:07,829 --> 00:38:13,335
- For Jesus Christ's sake, Amen.
- Amen.
274
00:38:32,563 --> 00:38:36,316
In the poor district of Sِdermalm
275
00:38:36,567 --> 00:38:41,321
20 of the 26 drinking wells
are unusable.
276
00:38:41,697 --> 00:38:47,953
The high infant mortality rate
has lowered the average life-span
277
00:38:48,203 --> 00:38:54,835
for a man living in Stockholm
to 20 years, for a woman to 26 years.
278
00:38:55,460 --> 00:39:00,591
Because of sanitary conditions
in Stockholm
279
00:39:00,966 --> 00:39:08,348
30% of all children die
before they are one year old.
280
00:39:22,946 --> 00:39:27,201
We have to educate ourselves.
We must organize.
281
00:39:27,576 --> 00:39:30,454
Just a moment.
Look what we have already.
282
00:39:30,579 --> 00:39:34,583
We have the pillars of our society.
283
00:39:34,708 --> 00:39:40,214
We have the new general school
regulations. Relief for the poor
284
00:39:40,464 --> 00:39:43,842
and all this to help serve
the less fortunate.
285
00:39:44,092 --> 00:39:51,850
Police and soldiers fill the streets
and we don't have a chance.
286
00:39:51,975 --> 00:39:57,689
Calm down. We'll work this out.
Stay calm. There may be police here.
287
00:40:02,569 --> 00:40:09,326
- How does poor relief help us?
- You have the poor percentage.
288
00:40:10,077 --> 00:40:12,955
- What?
- The poor percentage.
289
00:40:13,956 --> 00:40:21,088
We are left in a room where
we may get a little food.
290
00:40:21,588 --> 00:40:23,090
Food from you.
291
00:40:23,340 --> 00:40:26,468
But what else do we get? Nothing!
292
00:40:26,718 --> 00:40:30,347
We're barely treated as humans.
We are animals!
293
00:40:30,597 --> 00:40:32,724
You want to live in the Palace?
294
00:40:32,975 --> 00:40:36,812
Born in shit and you'll die in shit.
295
00:40:36,937 --> 00:40:43,068
And there's no way you can get out.
That's the way it is.
296
00:40:54,454 --> 00:41:00,210
Now I'll tell you what happened this
morning when you'd gone to school.
297
00:41:00,460 --> 00:41:02,713
I was dressed and came out...
298
00:41:04,214 --> 00:41:06,717
and then the doorbell rang.
299
00:41:06,967 --> 00:41:13,098
And not just a little trinkle.
The way Aunt Liset rings.
300
00:41:13,473 --> 00:41:17,686
It was a firm, rather long ring.
301
00:41:18,187 --> 00:41:23,317
I was quite scared.
Mother went and opened the door.
302
00:41:23,567 --> 00:41:27,821
Just imagine: It was the police!
303
00:41:28,322 --> 00:41:29,448
The police?
304
00:41:29,698 --> 00:41:31,825
Yes. The police!
305
00:41:54,848 --> 00:41:58,977
The newspaper industry in
Stockholm is expanding.
306
00:41:59,061 --> 00:42:06,944
In the fight for readers. Newspapers
use social conditions as a weapon
307
00:42:07,569 --> 00:42:15,953
to shape opinion for or against
the need for change in society.
308
00:42:17,579 --> 00:42:18,956
We must organize.
309
00:42:19,081 --> 00:42:27,214
We must see that we get people
in parliament who can speak for us.
310
00:42:27,714 --> 00:42:33,345
- How shall we do that?
- The daily press can help us.
311
00:42:33,846 --> 00:42:37,224
We have Aftonbladet.
An excellent newspaper.
312
00:42:37,349 --> 00:42:43,313
We must see that the paper and
its ideas get wide circulation.
313
00:42:43,438 --> 00:42:46,066
- Did you say Aftonbladet?
- Yes.
314
00:42:46,191 --> 00:42:51,822
- That liberal rag...
- It's liberal but it isn't a rag.
315
00:42:52,072 --> 00:42:57,077
- Stockholm's Dagblad...
- That's a rag!
316
00:42:57,953 --> 00:43:02,457
- I've never heard anything so dumb.
- Then there's a lot you haven't heard.
317
00:43:02,833 --> 00:43:20,726
Chapter 1
Afraid and Hungry.
318
00:43:33,197 --> 00:43:39,703
Now I'm going to read a few lines
from Part 1 of The Son of a Servant.
319
00:43:42,956 --> 00:43:50,214
It's about Strindberg's childhood
until he was a student
320
00:43:51,465 --> 00:43:56,720
and he described it as the story
of the development of a mind.
321
00:43:57,971 --> 00:44:03,810
He wrote Part 1 of The Son of
a Servant in about 4 months.
322
00:44:05,312 --> 00:44:16,823
In April he sent the manuscript
to Bonniers for publishing. 1886.
323
00:44:41,098 --> 00:44:46,562
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
324
00:44:47,187 --> 00:44:55,696
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
325
00:44:56,572 --> 00:45:03,579
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
326
00:45:03,829 --> 00:45:08,959
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
327
00:45:09,710 --> 00:45:13,088
And lead us not into temptation
328
00:45:13,338 --> 00:45:16,717
but deliver us from evil.
329
00:45:16,967 --> 00:45:22,222
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory.
330
00:45:22,347 --> 00:45:25,559
Forever. Amen.
331
00:45:29,813 --> 00:45:35,319
- Father wants to speaks to you.
- Yes. Wait. Sit down!
332
00:45:37,696 --> 00:45:42,075
I've something important to say.
333
00:45:55,589 --> 00:45:58,342
When I came home from work today
334
00:45:58,592 --> 00:46:04,723
I noticed someone had drunk wine from
the bottle in the cabinet in the hall.
335
00:46:04,848 --> 00:46:08,810
- The children have been...
- Don't interrupt!
336
00:46:14,066 --> 00:46:19,071
Someone has drunk the wine.
337
00:46:28,455 --> 00:46:31,583
August, you look guilty.
338
00:46:36,088 --> 00:46:37,464
Well?
339
00:46:38,841 --> 00:46:43,095
"Rearing a child consisted of
scolding and hair-pulling
340
00:46:43,470 --> 00:46:50,936
"'I pray the Lord my soul to take'
and 'Do as you're told! '
341
00:46:51,436 --> 00:46:54,940
"The child had duties, not rights.
342
00:46:55,566 --> 00:47:01,321
"Everyone else's wishes were heard.
His were ignored."
343
00:47:01,697 --> 00:47:06,702
"He could do nothing without
doing something wrong
344
00:47:07,452 --> 00:47:10,956
"go nowhere without
being in someone's way
345
00:47:11,206 --> 00:47:15,460
"utter no word without
disturbing someone.
346
00:47:16,336 --> 00:47:20,966
"Finally he did not even
dare to move.
347
00:47:22,092 --> 00:47:31,560
"The supreme duty and greatest virtue
was to sit on a chair and be quiet."
348
00:47:38,066 --> 00:47:41,445
- Confess.
- August!
349
00:47:45,699 --> 00:47:48,327
I'm sorry. Father.
350
00:47:50,329 --> 00:47:55,334
There's a pot. Guess what's in it?
351
00:47:55,834 --> 00:47:59,087
Can you imagine what it contains?
352
00:48:01,215 --> 00:48:03,091
Urine.
353
00:48:04,593 --> 00:48:11,934
A pail of urine standing
in the room day in and day out.
354
00:48:13,310 --> 00:48:15,562
It is here.
355
00:48:19,691 --> 00:48:26,448
A pail of urine in the middle of
my room, where I live and work.
356
00:48:35,958 --> 00:48:40,212
Here a man is expected to concentrate
357
00:48:41,338 --> 00:48:49,721
with the permanent stench of his
own excrement stinging in his nose.
358
00:49:14,204 --> 00:49:17,457
Is this worthy of a human being?
359
00:49:22,588 --> 00:49:25,716
Is this worthy of a human being?
360
00:49:50,199 --> 00:49:53,202
You have known Luther?
361
00:49:59,208 --> 00:50:01,460
Yes.
362
00:50:03,337 --> 00:50:06,840
I want to do his work in my country.
363
00:50:07,090 --> 00:50:11,470
- Is that all?
- What do you mean?
364
00:50:11,720 --> 00:50:15,557
It's too little. Luther is dead.
365
00:50:17,684 --> 00:50:20,687
He began. We'll go further.
366
00:50:21,688 --> 00:50:24,566
Where will you lead me?
367
00:50:25,192 --> 00:50:27,569
Far. Far. Olof!
368
00:50:31,448 --> 00:50:38,205
- I'm afraid of you, Father Gert.
- Yes, yes. You should be afraid.
369
00:50:41,834 --> 00:50:45,462
You see? You see?
370
00:50:48,090 --> 00:50:53,971
How people crawl on their knees
to the two persons sitting on thrones?
371
00:50:57,182 --> 00:51:00,185
The greatest one is the Pope.
372
00:51:03,063 --> 00:51:07,442
He has two keys in one hand
and a thunderbolt in the other.
373
00:51:07,693 --> 00:51:12,698
Now he lifts the thunderbolt
and thousands of souls are damned.
374
00:51:59,703 --> 00:52:03,081
The King's palace in Stockholm
375
00:52:03,332 --> 00:52:09,338
the largest royal building
in the Northern hemisphere
376
00:52:09,713 --> 00:52:10,339
is guarded and policed
by a large military garrison.
377
00:52:10,339 --> 00:52:13,467
Close ranks... Eyes frontl
is guarded and policed
by a large military garrison.
378
00:52:13,467 --> 00:52:16,094
Is guarded and policed
by a large military garrison.
379
00:52:17,846 --> 00:52:21,308
Attention.
380
00:52:23,185 --> 00:52:26,063
Stand to.
381
00:53:11,942 --> 00:53:15,571
Shoulder arms.
382
00:53:18,949 --> 00:53:22,077
Eyes left.
383
00:53:34,840 --> 00:53:41,305
At this time. The monarchy is trying
to crush the forces of social reform
384
00:53:41,555 --> 00:53:47,311
as represented by
the liberal paper Aftonbladet.
385
00:53:48,562 --> 00:53:54,943
The King sponsors the conservative
paper Svenska Tidningen
386
00:53:55,194 --> 00:53:58,822
to attack Aftonbladet.
387
00:54:00,324 --> 00:54:06,705
At the same time the King also
sponsors two radical papers
388
00:54:06,955 --> 00:54:13,837
Folkets Rِst and Sِndagsbladet,
to attack the liberals from the left.
389
00:54:17,341 --> 00:54:26,433
- Tell us about your play.
- The one I'm writing now?
390
00:54:26,808 --> 00:54:27,809
May, 1875. For the first time
August Strindberg visits
391
00:54:27,809 --> 00:54:30,312
It's a revision of Master Olof
May, 1875. For the first time
August Strindberg visits
392
00:54:30,312 --> 00:54:30,562
May, 1875. For the first time
August Strindberg visits
393
00:54:30,562 --> 00:54:32,439
which I wrote a few years ago.
May, 1875. For the first time
August Strindberg visits
394
00:54:32,689 --> 00:54:34,816
I'm trying to do a new version.
The home of the Baron and
Baroness von Wrangel.
395
00:54:34,816 --> 00:54:35,067
The home of the Baron and
Baroness von Wrangel.
396
00:54:35,067 --> 00:54:37,319
It was refused for some reason.
The home of the Baron and
Baroness von Wrangel.
397
00:54:39,071 --> 00:54:44,326
Is it similar to the other one
you wrote, The Freethinker?
398
00:54:45,577 --> 00:54:49,706
Yes, there are certain parallels.
399
00:54:53,836 --> 00:54:58,215
You are interested in
the problem of religion. I believe?
400
00:54:59,341 --> 00:55:05,556
Yes. But, at the same time,
it's about a person...
401
00:55:06,306 --> 00:55:10,060
who dares to change
habitual patterns.
402
00:55:11,687 --> 00:55:16,817
A man who defies conventions.
Seeks new ways and challenges...
403
00:55:18,193 --> 00:55:20,320
- That's exciting...
- They're the ones who...
404
00:55:20,571 --> 00:55:23,949
- The theatre is fascinating.
- Skهl, Sofia.
405
00:55:24,700 --> 00:55:28,078
My wife's interested in the theatre.
406
00:55:28,453 --> 00:55:34,084
As a child I dreamt of being on stage.
407
00:55:36,587 --> 00:55:40,340
- Now you're a wife and mother.
- Yes. I am.
408
00:55:50,684 --> 00:55:54,938
- Imagine if I had children...
- That will come.
409
00:55:56,565 --> 00:55:58,942
The Reform Bill of 1865.
410
00:55:59,193 --> 00:56:06,200
The four-tiered Parliament is abolished
and a two-chamber one established.
411
00:56:07,075 --> 00:56:10,579
The First Chamber is for
the nobility, the clergy
412
00:56:10,829 --> 00:56:13,707
bureaucrats and affluent businessmen.
413
00:56:13,957 --> 00:56:17,336
The Second Chamber is for
citizens and farmers.
414
00:56:18,587 --> 00:56:21,840
Despite the political reform
415
00:56:22,090 --> 00:56:27,554
only 5.5% of the male population
over the age of 25
416
00:56:27,679 --> 00:56:28,055
The way to get rid of the military...
417
00:56:28,055 --> 00:56:29,932
The way to get rid of the military...
have the right to vote.
418
00:56:30,557 --> 00:56:38,065
The king and the military are only a
symptom of the disease of our society.
419
00:56:38,315 --> 00:56:47,324
The belief that humans aren't equal...
I believe all human beings are equal.
420
00:56:47,699 --> 00:56:55,582
So the working class must have
a say in shaping society.
421
00:56:57,209 --> 00:57:03,590
If our children are to grow up.
We must have better housing.
422
00:57:03,966 --> 00:57:09,555
We must be able to heat our homes.
We must have water...
423
00:57:09,805 --> 00:57:14,935
the opportunity to be clean...
ourselves and our homes...
424
00:57:15,811 --> 00:57:21,191
For this, we must have a
say in shaping our society.
425
00:57:22,192 --> 00:57:26,446
If we can't. Nothing will happen.
426
00:57:34,955 --> 00:57:39,710
If I may say so,
all you need is patience
427
00:57:40,210 --> 00:57:44,715
because the government and king
know exactly what the problems are.
428
00:57:44,840 --> 00:57:50,053
As I said. We now have poor relief.
We have new school regulations.
429
00:57:50,804 --> 00:57:54,683
This is the way it is and,
as this century progresses
430
00:57:54,933 --> 00:57:58,312
people will be better off,
with greater equality
431
00:57:58,562 --> 00:58:01,190
but we must have order.
432
00:58:06,695 --> 00:58:11,700
Our regiment will get
new horses in two weeks.
433
00:58:12,451 --> 00:58:14,203
How nice.
434
00:58:15,204 --> 00:58:19,333
A couple of dozen new coursers
that we'll train.
435
00:58:20,334 --> 00:58:23,337
There'll be an inspection in a month.
436
00:58:23,712 --> 00:58:28,217
And the Defence Ministry complains
that they don't have any money.
437
00:58:28,467 --> 00:58:34,431
Right. We should have a larger
share of the national budget.
438
00:58:38,310 --> 00:58:40,687
Things are in a sorry state.
439
00:58:41,063 --> 00:58:48,195
Do you know that the Swedish Army
has the worst rifles in all of Europe?
440
00:58:49,196 --> 00:58:53,325
- After Portugal, of course.
- Father says that too.
441
00:58:53,951 --> 00:59:00,958
There are many reforms coming now
and of course it costs money.
442
00:59:01,708 --> 00:59:08,215
This is something that is
really in the nation's interest:
443
00:59:08,841 --> 00:59:11,677
A strong defence force.
444
00:59:15,556 --> 00:59:20,936
He turns to his neighbour on
the other throne and they both smile.
445
00:59:25,190 --> 00:59:30,445
The years 1868 - 1870
are the hardest in Sweden.
446
00:59:30,696 --> 00:59:33,323
80,000 people emigrate.
447
00:59:34,199 --> 00:59:40,831
But then. Olof. There
is a murmur in the air
448
00:59:41,456 --> 00:59:44,459
a kind of grumbling from the people.
449
00:59:45,210 --> 00:59:49,965
"Who grumbles?" the Pope calls,
shaking his thunderbolt.
450
00:59:50,716 --> 00:59:54,428
And the Emperor shakes his sword.
451
01:00:00,184 --> 01:00:02,936
No one replies, Olof.
452
01:00:04,688 --> 01:00:10,694
But the grumbling and murmuring
continues, calling. "Think! Think!"
453
01:00:12,946 --> 01:00:15,824
"Who's shouting 'Think! '?"
454
01:00:17,576 --> 01:00:21,580
The Emperor asks. Turning pale.
455
01:00:22,331 --> 01:00:26,960
"Bring him here and I'll take his life,"
the Pope cries.
456
01:00:28,086 --> 01:00:32,090
"Bring him here. I'll take his soul."
457
01:00:33,717 --> 01:00:36,053
- Rabble!
- That's what they are.
458
01:00:42,184 --> 01:00:48,065
This has nothing to do with you.
It's a police matter. Damn!
459
01:00:51,068 --> 01:00:52,819
Long live the king!
460
01:00:57,449 --> 01:00:59,826
Silence!
461
01:01:03,080 --> 01:01:06,208
Hit me but don't touch her.
462
01:01:09,711 --> 01:01:11,713
Silence!
463
01:01:14,216 --> 01:01:22,432
November 1868. A spectators' stand
is built in Stockholm
464
01:01:22,683 --> 01:01:33,443
in readiness for the unveiling ceremony
of the statue of Karl Xll.
465
01:01:34,570 --> 01:01:43,328
The stand is reserved for
paying spectators.
466
01:01:43,579 --> 01:01:49,209
A demonstration develops.
467
01:01:50,460 --> 01:01:54,214
Stones are thrown at the police.
468
01:01:54,464 --> 01:01:59,803
The troops are sent for
and there are many arrests.
469
01:02:00,053 --> 01:02:03,932
Republican sentiment is strong.
470
01:02:04,558 --> 01:02:10,564
On the same day that we
filmed these scenes in 1993
471
01:02:10,814 --> 01:02:16,820
the Danish police in
Copenhagen opened fire
472
01:02:17,070 --> 01:02:21,450
on a crowd of unarmed demonstrators.
473
01:02:33,462 --> 01:02:38,550
I shall read a few paragraphs
from The Swedish People.
474
01:02:39,801 --> 01:02:50,938
The Swedish People was one of
Strindberg's most important works.
475
01:02:52,940 --> 01:02:57,194
And there are many reasons for this.
First of all...
476
01:02:57,194 --> 01:03:07,829
criticism he suffered then and later
over The Swedish People
477
01:03:08,580 --> 01:03:13,085
affected him very deeply.
478
01:03:13,836 --> 01:03:21,552
He was outraged and
crushed and it marked him...
479
01:03:24,179 --> 01:03:28,934
so that he suffered from it
most of the rest of his life.
480
01:03:51,081 --> 01:03:56,211
The island of Kymmendِ
in the Stockholm archipelago.
481
01:03:56,837 --> 01:04:00,549
The Swedish People also
has another significance
482
01:04:00,924 --> 01:04:07,681
in that it has been very important
to the writing of history generally.
483
01:04:07,931 --> 01:04:15,939
This is the first time anyone told
the history of the lower classes
484
01:04:16,315 --> 01:04:23,572
a writer describing
the way of life of ordinary people.
485
01:04:24,948 --> 01:04:28,702
It had never been done before,
so. In this sense
486
01:04:29,077 --> 01:04:32,456
it was a completely pioneering work
487
01:04:33,207 --> 01:04:36,960
as regards the study
and writing of history.
488
01:04:39,713 --> 01:04:46,428
The Swedish People became the most
lavish literary work of the decade.
489
01:04:50,557 --> 01:04:56,563
It was illustrated by Carl Larsson
and, as we said, it was an attempt
490
01:04:56,939 --> 01:04:59,691
to write
the history of ordinary people
491
01:04:59,816 --> 01:05:05,447
the perspective of simple people on
their own lives and environment
492
01:05:05,697 --> 01:05:09,826
from the 9th Century onward.
493
01:05:25,300 --> 01:05:29,555
This is what Strindberg
writes about the Middle Ages...
494
01:05:32,307 --> 01:05:39,189
"The common fate of ordinary people
in the Middle Ages was oppression.
495
01:05:39,940 --> 01:05:45,070
"They worked and with their work
they supported not just themselves
496
01:05:45,320 --> 01:05:50,576
"but also the vast luxury of court,
state and church.
497
01:05:51,076 --> 01:05:52,578
"As if this were not enough...
498
01:05:53,829 --> 01:06:00,711
"the farmer. Who seems doomed always
to bear the heaviest burden
499
01:06:01,086 --> 01:06:08,552
"will too be oppressed by those
it pleases the king
500
01:06:09,178 --> 01:06:13,432
"to appoint as county governors.
501
01:06:16,435 --> 01:06:19,688
"The Swedish people are patient
502
01:06:20,939 --> 01:06:25,444
"but it has happened now and again
that they have broken their chains
503
01:06:25,694 --> 01:06:31,200
"and taught the king and nobles
what their tranquility dependent upon.
504
01:06:31,825 --> 01:06:38,207
"Let us never forget that our greatest
medieval hero was Engelbrekt
505
01:06:39,458 --> 01:06:47,424
"and that he and men like him showed
the powerful they could go too far...
506
01:06:48,050 --> 01:06:50,552
"in their oppression."
507
01:07:51,822 --> 01:07:55,075
Amongst Strindberg's friends
at this time
508
01:07:55,325 --> 01:07:58,579
are a number of
radical young writers
509
01:07:58,829 --> 01:08:02,583
acutely aware of the need
for a modern literature
510
01:08:02,833 --> 01:08:06,211
which will sharpen the debate
on social issues.
511
01:08:06,837 --> 01:08:21,810
They call themselves "Young Sweden".
512
01:08:23,937 --> 01:08:27,941
My name is
Ann-Charlotte Edegren Leffler.
513
01:08:28,192 --> 01:08:30,194
I am a writer.
514
01:08:30,694 --> 01:08:33,322
I was born in 1849.
515
01:08:33,947 --> 01:08:37,826
I am married to
District Judge Gustav Edegren.
516
01:08:39,578 --> 01:08:43,457
My background is middle class.
517
01:08:44,082 --> 01:08:50,047
My father is a member of
parliament and a headmaster.
518
01:08:51,798 --> 01:08:54,801
I have two brothers. Gِsta and Fritz.
519
01:08:55,177 --> 01:08:59,932
One is a professor of mathematics.
The other of linguistics.
520
01:09:00,432 --> 01:09:04,561
They inspired me very
much while I was growing up.
521
01:09:04,811 --> 01:09:08,941
I myself have not studied,
since I am a woman.
522
01:09:11,818 --> 01:09:18,200
I always wanted to be a writer.
I told stories at the age of 6
523
01:09:18,325 --> 01:09:21,078
although I couldn't yet write.
524
01:09:21,453 --> 01:09:26,708
But. At the age of 20.
Iwas helped by my father
525
01:09:26,959 --> 01:09:32,673
to publish a book
of short stories, By Chance.
526
01:09:33,298 --> 01:09:35,926
That was my debut.
527
01:09:36,426 --> 01:09:40,305
In her series of novels. From Life.
Ann-Charlotte Leffler
528
01:09:40,556 --> 01:09:45,686
attacks social, religious and
moral conventions
529
01:09:45,936 --> 01:09:47,938
and unmasks the hypocrisy of
contemporary society.
530
01:09:47,938 --> 01:09:51,066
How important is the feminist movement?
And unmasks the hypocrisy of
contemporary society.
531
01:09:51,066 --> 01:09:51,441
And unmasks the hypocrisy of
contemporary society.
532
01:09:53,569 --> 01:10:02,077
It is very important. Without it...
That's why I write.
533
01:10:03,078 --> 01:10:11,336
I believe that every woman
also has a right to education
534
01:10:12,921 --> 01:10:19,178
to choose her profession. To have
an occupation. To set herself free.
535
01:10:19,928 --> 01:10:25,559
I suffered greatly when my brothers
studied and I sat idly at home.
536
01:10:26,059 --> 01:10:32,441
If I had a daughter. I would raise her
the way my brothers were.
537
01:10:34,443 --> 01:10:38,071
She'd go to school,
at least until 20.
538
01:10:41,825 --> 01:10:47,206
My name is Alfhild Agrell
and I am also a writer.
539
01:10:47,706 --> 01:10:52,461
I've lived in Stockholm a few years
540
01:10:52,961 --> 01:10:57,925
but I was raised in Hنrnِsand.
In Norrland.
541
01:10:59,927 --> 01:11:08,060
It was there I began to write.
My sister got a clever idea.
542
01:11:09,061 --> 01:11:16,443
She decided. When we were only 10 or 12,
to publish a newspaper
543
01:11:17,069 --> 01:11:24,826
written just by girls.
About things that interested girls.
544
01:11:25,327 --> 01:11:29,081
And it could only be bought for girls.
545
01:11:32,084 --> 01:11:38,924
I got married when I was 19
to Per Ahlbin Agrell
546
01:11:40,425 --> 01:11:44,054
just after my father died.
547
01:11:45,931 --> 01:11:49,685
Then I lived in Sundsvall
for a few years.
548
01:11:51,562 --> 01:11:58,068
When I came to Stockholm 5 years ago
I began to write again.
549
01:11:59,069 --> 01:12:05,075
And after a few years I had an
article published in Dagens Nyheter
550
01:12:06,827 --> 01:12:13,208
which gave me the will to continue.
551
01:12:13,709 --> 01:12:19,423
So lately I've mostly written plays
552
01:12:19,923 --> 01:12:24,678
one of which has been performed
at the Dramatic Theatre.
553
01:12:25,053 --> 01:12:34,563
In my plays I try to reflect
the middle-class woman's marriage.
554
01:12:35,814 --> 01:12:41,570
Today she lives in a cage.
Like a bird that can't fly away.
555
01:12:42,696 --> 01:12:51,705
With our legal system
and all the reactionary ideas
556
01:12:52,706 --> 01:12:57,920
a woman has no freedom.
557
01:12:58,420 --> 01:13:06,053
She is locked into marriage. Iocked
into her husband's estimation of her.
558
01:13:06,678 --> 01:13:14,561
My way of changing this
is to write plays
559
01:13:14,937 --> 01:13:19,066
that show the truth
about the real situation.
560
01:13:42,673 --> 01:13:48,804
Strindberg's autobiographical novel,
A Madman's Defence
561
01:13:48,929 --> 01:13:56,311
covers the period from when Strindberg
first meets Siri von Essen in 1875
562
01:13:56,562 --> 01:14:00,566
to the time of its writing
in 1887 - 1888.
563
01:14:01,066 --> 01:14:16,832
At the beginning, the novel describes
their romantic and passionate meeting.
564
01:14:17,833 --> 01:14:23,172
Passages of tenderness and
longing stand in contrast
565
01:14:23,547 --> 01:14:28,051
to the hate-filled descriptions
of his wife
566
01:14:28,302 --> 01:14:32,306
which form the remainder of the book.
567
01:14:33,932 --> 01:14:38,061
The many good times spent
by the couple
568
01:14:38,312 --> 01:14:44,443
on Kymmendِ in these years
are never mentioned.
569
01:14:45,944 --> 01:14:51,325
Instead, Strindberg characterises
this period in their marriage
570
01:14:51,575 --> 01:14:56,079
by quarelling,
growing suspisions of infidelity
571
01:14:56,330 --> 01:15:00,083
and the prolonged episode
of the dog...
572
01:15:23,440 --> 01:15:29,446
"First there was a dog.
A King Charles spaniel."
573
01:15:40,832 --> 01:15:47,047
"A monster with running eyes."
574
01:16:00,435 --> 01:16:04,940
- Can't you hang the laundry later?
- It won't get dry.
575
01:16:20,330 --> 01:16:21,582
The dog.
576
01:16:30,674 --> 01:16:33,552
Your skirt will get dirty.
577
01:16:53,947 --> 01:16:56,950
"I hate dogs."
578
01:17:11,298 --> 01:17:14,676
- This is incredible!
- Stop it!
579
01:17:17,679 --> 01:17:26,438
How can you sit for hours
playing with a little dog?
580
01:17:48,669 --> 01:17:52,548
Can't you stop playing with
that disgusting beast?
581
01:17:56,927 --> 01:18:01,056
- Don't talk like that.
- Why can't you let him go?
582
01:18:42,931 --> 01:18:47,936
I haven't washed my feet
for 2 weeks!
583
01:19:07,331 --> 01:19:09,666
Two weeks...
584
01:19:11,418 --> 01:19:14,296
In shit and dung!
585
01:19:20,802 --> 01:19:23,305
In shit and dung!
586
01:19:46,328 --> 01:19:49,331
Siri had a good childhood.
587
01:19:51,291 --> 01:19:56,672
She was the only child.
So she was loved and spoilt by all.
588
01:19:58,549 --> 01:20:03,428
They lived on an estate
called Jackarby. Outside Borgه.
589
01:20:04,054 --> 01:20:11,061
The main Helsinki to Petersburg road
passed through the estate.
590
01:20:14,064 --> 01:20:17,317
She played lots of boyish games
as a child.
591
01:20:17,568 --> 01:20:20,320
She was quite a wild little girl.
592
01:20:20,696 --> 01:20:23,574
She climbed trees
and rode horseback.
593
01:20:23,949 --> 01:20:27,452
Her mother didn't approve.
594
01:20:27,703 --> 01:20:30,831
She worried about Siri's clothes.
595
01:20:37,671 --> 01:20:41,300
She slept with curlers in her hair
596
01:20:42,050 --> 01:20:47,431
so that she could be a nice little
aristocratic lady during the day.
597
01:20:51,435 --> 01:20:56,690
As Siri grew up her mother thought
she should speak French with her.
598
01:20:58,692 --> 01:21:05,199
She also had to write letters in French
to her girlfriend. Constance.
599
01:21:07,451 --> 01:21:12,080
But they used to write to each
other secretly in Swedish.
600
01:21:20,172 --> 01:21:26,553
At 10, she composed solo dances.
601
01:21:27,054 --> 01:21:29,932
She liked dancing very much.
602
01:21:39,691 --> 01:21:45,072
She gave performances
always of a romantic figure
603
01:21:45,322 --> 01:21:47,824
like an angel or an elf.
604
01:21:50,702 --> 01:21:56,917
Her father spent most of his time
in the libary with his books.
605
01:21:57,543 --> 01:22:02,172
When she wanted to be a dancer,
he said
606
01:22:03,048 --> 01:22:06,802
"Of course you can
when you grow up, my child."
607
01:22:08,303 --> 01:22:11,932
She liked her father very much.
608
01:22:13,433 --> 01:22:16,812
He liked most of the things she did.
609
01:22:20,691 --> 01:22:24,945
But he felt she should be hardened
and develop moral courage.
610
01:22:27,447 --> 01:22:32,703
So he let her go alone up
into the attic at Jackarby
611
01:22:33,203 --> 01:22:35,539
even though they said
there were ghosts.
612
01:22:36,039 --> 01:22:38,542
It was scary.
613
01:22:39,793 --> 01:22:43,172
But she did it all the same.
614
01:23:13,702 --> 01:23:16,079
"Fate is strange!
615
01:23:16,330 --> 01:23:22,920
"It was the same old apartment
in which my parents had lived
616
01:23:23,170 --> 01:23:30,552
"the house in which I had spent the
most miserable years of my childhood."
617
01:23:35,933 --> 01:23:39,686
Welcome, Sofia.
It's so nice to have you here.
618
01:23:39,937 --> 01:23:44,191
It's nice to be here. It's so scary.
It's a different world.
619
01:23:44,566 --> 01:23:48,445
- You too. Mr Strindberg.
- I'm sorry?
620
01:23:48,695 --> 01:23:52,574
Welcome. It's nice
to have you here this evening.
621
01:23:52,950 --> 01:23:55,827
Thank you. It's nice to be here.
622
01:23:58,163 --> 01:24:04,169
It's as if there were ghosts in here.
Perhaps you haven't noticed?
623
01:24:04,419 --> 01:24:06,547
- No.
- Exciting.
624
01:24:06,797 --> 01:24:10,676
- What sort of ghosts?
- We haven't noticed.
625
01:24:11,051 --> 01:24:14,179
I lived here as a child.
626
01:24:14,930 --> 01:24:17,307
When memories come...
627
01:24:19,810 --> 01:24:22,688
When you return after many years...
628
01:24:24,439 --> 01:24:29,570
it's as if they moved about the walls.
629
01:24:30,445 --> 01:24:32,698
Did you see anything?
630
01:24:33,448 --> 01:24:34,449
Sofia In de Betou. Aged 19,
cousin of Siri von Essen.
631
01:24:34,449 --> 01:24:37,703
Some people claimed to.
Sofia In de Betou. Aged 19,
cousin of Siri von Essen.
632
01:24:37,703 --> 01:24:38,203
Sofia In de Betou. Aged 19,
cousin of Siri von Essen.
633
01:24:38,203 --> 01:24:40,163
Do you know anyone who has?
Sofia In de Betou, aged 19,
cousin of Siri von Essen.
634
01:24:41,540 --> 01:24:44,668
I've heard of people who have.
635
01:24:45,669 --> 01:24:52,801
There's a young woman
who can certainly drive out ghosts.
636
01:24:55,053 --> 01:24:57,055
Miss Forsten.
637
01:25:15,824 --> 01:25:19,328
"Presently the Baroness returned
with her little girl
638
01:25:19,578 --> 01:25:23,290
"and began to put her to bed
in her small iron cot.
639
01:25:23,415 --> 01:25:27,169
"The little child began to cry
and refused to sleep.
640
01:25:27,419 --> 01:25:30,172
"After a few futile attempts
to calm her
641
01:25:30,422 --> 01:25:33,050
"her mother threatened her
with the rod."
642
01:25:34,176 --> 01:25:35,552
"I cannot bear to see a child being
spanked without losing my temper.
643
01:25:35,552 --> 01:25:37,179
A little more?
"I cannot bear to see a child being
spanked without losing my temper.
644
01:25:37,179 --> 01:25:37,679
"I cannot bear to see a child being
spanked without losing my temper.
645
01:25:37,679 --> 01:25:40,807
Not for me.
"I cannot bear to see a child being
spanked without losing my temper.
646
01:25:41,183 --> 01:25:42,684
Strindberg?
"I can remember scolding my own father
about it on one occasion.
647
01:25:42,684 --> 01:25:45,687
"I can remember scolding my own father
about it on one occasion.
648
01:25:45,687 --> 01:25:48,190
Thank you. I've had enough.
"I can remember scolding my own father
about it on one occasion.
649
01:25:48,565 --> 01:25:55,322
"Filled with an almost uncontrollable
rage, I was forced to intervene."
650
01:27:48,185 --> 01:27:53,440
1909. Strindberg writes to
his daughter Kerstin for the last time.
651
01:27:53,941 --> 01:27:57,694
"I am 60 years old
and live in a boarding house...
652
01:27:57,819 --> 01:27:59,947
"But I am a writer
653
01:28:00,072 --> 01:28:04,201
"and life is to me simply material
for plays. Mostly tragedies...
654
01:28:04,451 --> 01:28:08,539
"Adieu! And think of me only
as a memory. Your Father."
655
01:28:53,667 --> 01:28:59,423
Quiet! Gather round here
all of you and see the miracle.
656
01:28:59,798 --> 01:29:03,552
Come. Come closer.
657
01:29:05,304 --> 01:29:09,308
Look, the perfect image
of her mother.
658
01:29:15,314 --> 01:29:19,318
I must take this opportunity again
659
01:29:20,569 --> 01:29:29,286
to cheer for the lovely young Greta
and her beautiful mother and...
660
01:29:32,039 --> 01:29:34,416
her pleasant father.
661
01:29:35,542 --> 01:29:40,923
Let us raise a cheer for all of them.
662
01:30:27,052 --> 01:30:29,304
The history of rulers!
663
01:30:30,931 --> 01:30:32,933
Sweden's history...
664
01:30:33,559 --> 01:30:37,938
We have a history and
we must try to...
665
01:30:38,063 --> 01:30:42,693
We shall try to write it,
since it hasn't been done yet.
666
01:30:46,697 --> 01:30:50,701
The idea behind The Swedish People
667
01:30:50,951 --> 01:30:58,292
that the history of Sweden is
the history of the Swedish people
668
01:30:58,917 --> 01:31:03,797
is in opposition to the ideas
669
01:31:04,047 --> 01:31:12,181
of the conservative historian
Erik Gustaf Geijer...
670
01:31:12,931 --> 01:31:22,816
...that Swedish history is
the story of its monarchs.
671
01:31:31,325 --> 01:31:36,413
I'll crush those bloody fools!
672
01:31:38,916 --> 01:31:42,669
Silly professors!
We'll piss on them!
673
01:31:48,050 --> 01:31:50,802
Shit on them!
674
01:31:52,304 --> 01:31:57,434
We'll go down and dig up shit.
We'll see history as it really was.
675
01:31:57,935 --> 01:32:01,563
The history of the people...
ordinary people.
676
01:32:02,689 --> 01:32:08,070
Those who slaved for thousands
of years to build this country up.
677
01:32:09,571 --> 01:32:12,950
Those who really deserve
to be mentioned.
678
01:32:13,659 --> 01:32:16,537
It's them, my dear Carl.
679
01:32:17,663 --> 01:32:22,668
It's their history and
it's for them we'll write history.
680
01:32:30,801 --> 01:32:33,679
It's just that those damned...
681
01:32:36,431 --> 01:32:39,434
...professors.
They're so scared.
682
01:32:40,310 --> 01:32:44,815
Popular science, popular culture.
683
01:32:50,320 --> 01:32:54,074
It's a popular work we want to do.
684
01:32:54,324 --> 01:32:59,788
It's important that
people understand.
685
01:33:02,291 --> 01:33:07,421
And, my dear Carl. You shall sketch.
Paint. Illustrate.
686
01:33:09,548 --> 01:33:12,926
- People will get involved...
- We'll get paid too.
687
01:33:13,177 --> 01:33:20,684
No bloody monumental paintings of
kings on fat horses and other shit.
688
01:33:21,935 --> 01:33:27,816
- What do you want?
- The truth!
689
01:33:28,192 --> 01:33:32,196
- What truth?
- Somewhere. Somewhere...
690
01:33:33,197 --> 01:33:36,658
What truth are you searching for?
691
01:33:38,660 --> 01:33:43,540
Simple human truth, unadorned.
692
01:33:46,293 --> 01:33:50,297
Truth that isn't romantically
improved upon...
693
01:33:52,549 --> 01:34:00,933
that doesn't praise the ruling class.
694
01:34:06,313 --> 01:34:09,691
That is the truth we want.
695
01:34:25,165 --> 01:34:31,171
But, if we return to the point,
which points shall we make?
696
01:34:32,172 --> 01:34:38,929
Besides those already mentioned.
We've discussed women's rights...
697
01:34:39,179 --> 01:34:42,307
I want to discuss literary matters...
698
01:34:44,810 --> 01:34:50,941
new literature that
liberates human beings...
699
01:34:52,568 --> 01:34:55,445
We must discuss culture generally.
700
01:34:55,696 --> 01:35:02,286
Connect it with a naturalistic view...
701
01:35:03,161 --> 01:35:09,793
Culture today is like children's
fairy-tales: Short, sweet stories.
702
01:35:10,544 --> 01:35:15,674
We must attack the Swedish Academy
and the persons there.
703
01:35:16,550 --> 01:35:23,807
Or at least one person:
Af Wisén...
704
01:35:24,057 --> 01:35:30,314
We've seen how Europe has developed:
Denmark and Norway are ahead of us.
705
01:35:35,068 --> 01:35:40,908
There's a similar situation in
other areas. Someone rules...
706
01:35:41,158 --> 01:35:42,784
They've succeeded.
707
01:35:43,535 --> 01:35:44,161
Carl David af Wisén, conservative critic
and secretary to the Swedish Academy.
708
01:35:44,161 --> 01:35:48,040
- They've come further.
- It's the establishment.
Carl David af Wisén, conservative critic
and secretary to the Swedish Academy.
709
01:35:48,040 --> 01:35:48,790
Carl David af Wisén, conservative critic
and secretary to the Swedish Academy.
710
01:35:49,416 --> 01:35:52,920
A bureaucracy, many institutions. But...
711
01:35:53,420 --> 01:35:55,422
Wisén is the villain in this.
712
01:35:55,672 --> 01:35:57,925
We must attack them.
713
01:35:58,175 --> 01:36:03,055
He can't decide things
for all of Sweden.
714
01:36:03,305 --> 01:36:09,186
We must break new ground too.
We can't stick to the old ways.
715
01:36:09,937 --> 01:36:17,694
That's why we've gathered here:
To air our views for once.
716
01:36:18,195 --> 01:36:24,660
We translate books. That's one way.
717
01:36:25,035 --> 01:36:27,538
- That is one way.
- Yes.
718
01:36:27,788 --> 01:36:33,669
And we publish our own newspaper.
719
01:36:35,796 --> 01:36:42,678
Should we separate the two things?
Is it right to try?
720
01:36:42,928 --> 01:36:46,932
- The one gives the other.
- It's the same thing.
721
01:36:47,182 --> 01:36:50,936
- We must have both. Right?
- Yes. Of course.
722
01:36:51,687 --> 01:36:56,942
The important thing is that
women have voting rights.
723
01:36:57,192 --> 01:37:00,571
There's child labour, too.
724
01:37:01,196 --> 01:37:04,658
The one doesn't exclude the other.
725
01:37:05,158 --> 01:37:08,662
But we must keep them separate.
726
01:37:09,913 --> 01:37:14,293
It's important to take up
these problems and air them
727
01:37:14,543 --> 01:37:19,298
so the people see how things are:
The situation of women
728
01:37:19,548 --> 01:37:24,678
what child labour entails,
how the working class really lives.
729
01:37:25,929 --> 01:37:30,058
I thought of something that's
very effective in the church:
730
01:37:30,309 --> 01:37:34,438
How they describe
the beginning of Christianity.
731
01:37:34,563 --> 01:37:36,690
It's about equality.
732
01:37:38,066 --> 01:37:41,445
- I think it would be hard...
- Very good.
733
01:37:41,570 --> 01:37:43,697
- Everyone equal?
- Yes.
734
01:37:43,906 --> 01:37:48,911
Now we're jumping
from subject to subject again.
735
01:37:49,536 --> 01:37:54,666
What do you mean.
We separate things?
736
01:37:55,167 --> 01:38:03,425
I mean don't mix up women's rights
with the problem of the proletariat.
737
01:38:04,426 --> 01:38:08,055
They belong together.
Child labour does too.
738
01:38:08,305 --> 01:38:09,681
How?
739
01:38:10,057 --> 01:38:15,062
I don't think we change subjects much.
It's part of the whole society.
740
01:38:15,187 --> 01:38:18,315
I just wanted to...
741
01:38:18,565 --> 01:38:23,070
Yes, it all hangs together
but it doesn't make it easier
742
01:38:23,320 --> 01:38:26,406
if we try to consider
all things at once.
743
01:38:26,657 --> 01:38:28,283
It can be overwhelming.
744
01:38:28,408 --> 01:38:33,288
We may not be able to find our way.
We must be specific.
745
01:38:33,539 --> 01:38:38,168
What is the primary thing?
Where shall we begin?
746
01:38:44,049 --> 01:38:49,805
The "Young Sweden" writers want
Strindberg to take up their banner
747
01:38:50,180 --> 01:38:54,810
and lead them in their struggle
for social reform.
748
01:38:55,811 --> 01:38:59,815
But Strindberg is reluctant.
And writes to a friend
749
01:39:00,190 --> 01:39:04,319
"I want to be free!
I don't want to be hounded out
750
01:39:04,570 --> 01:39:07,906
"and bound hand and foot
to a programme..."
751
01:39:08,907 --> 01:39:12,786
Art was an excuse to get fucked.
752
01:39:18,542 --> 01:39:23,672
To be honest. I don't know
what the hell I'm doing now.
753
01:39:25,674 --> 01:39:30,679
Then it's time we began working
on something important
754
01:39:31,180 --> 01:39:33,682
something we're committed to.
755
01:39:33,932 --> 01:39:39,938
We can kick the chairs out
from under these damned bigwigs
756
01:39:40,063 --> 01:39:42,941
who talk about "reality".
757
01:39:43,942 --> 01:39:47,321
Knock them off their high horses!
758
01:39:52,534 --> 01:39:55,037
What is art to you then?
759
01:40:04,671 --> 01:40:07,049
What is art to you?
760
01:40:10,802 --> 01:40:13,305
It's accepting...
761
01:40:16,308 --> 01:40:23,190
that truth is subjective,
not to follow some damned leader
762
01:40:23,440 --> 01:40:29,530
to be completely free,
free of all conventions
763
01:40:29,780 --> 01:40:32,157
of all bloody norms...
764
01:40:33,158 --> 01:40:35,035
Everything.
765
01:40:36,036 --> 01:40:40,165
Total freedom. That's the basis...
766
01:40:40,791 --> 01:40:43,919
of all artistic work,
of artistic expression.
767
01:40:44,044 --> 01:40:48,298
Everything you can say
that's really worthwhile...
768
01:40:48,549 --> 01:40:50,926
that has any value.
769
01:40:58,433 --> 01:41:06,191
Peter Watkins: "Much concern
has been expressed in recent years
770
01:41:06,441 --> 01:41:13,407
"at the growing concentration
of economic and social power
771
01:41:13,657 --> 01:41:18,662
"within the world's mass media...
772
01:41:20,038 --> 01:41:26,170
"For example. The phenomenon of
'media barons'
773
01:41:26,420 --> 01:41:34,803
"such as Kerry Packer (Australia),
Robert Maxwell (Britain)
774
01:41:35,053 --> 01:41:41,185
"And Rupert Murdoch (Australia - USA).
775
01:41:41,810 --> 01:41:48,317
"This concentration of media
ownership into fewer and fewer hands
776
01:41:48,567 --> 01:41:51,904
"should not surprise us.
777
01:41:52,154 --> 01:41:56,658
"After all, the mass media
represent raw power
778
01:41:56,909 --> 01:41:58,285
"in economic, political. Corporate
779
01:41:58,285 --> 01:42:00,913
The ruling class is the problem in Sweden today.
"In economic, political. Corporate
780
01:42:00,913 --> 01:42:01,038
The ruling class is the problem in Sweden today.
781
01:42:01,038 --> 01:42:04,041
The ruling class is the problem in Sweden today.
"Social and personal terms..."
782
01:42:04,541 --> 01:42:06,168
That's a fact.
783
01:42:06,418 --> 01:42:10,923
They can talk for 7 hours
on Swedish television
784
01:42:11,173 --> 01:42:15,427
about the economic crisis,
as they did last week.
785
01:42:15,677 --> 01:42:20,057
There wasn't one person
on that panel
786
01:42:20,307 --> 01:42:25,312
who defended what you called
the labour problem
787
01:42:25,687 --> 01:42:30,317
the cause of low-income workers.
The real losers in this crisis.
788
01:42:30,567 --> 01:42:34,404
They only talk in various modes:
789
01:42:34,655 --> 01:42:38,784
Cheese-paring economists
and power-saw economists
790
01:42:39,034 --> 01:42:45,791
saying the crisis must be paid for
by the majority.
791
01:42:46,041 --> 01:42:52,548
And the media are just as domineering
as in those times:
792
01:42:53,048 --> 01:42:55,551
A single class interest.
793
01:42:55,801 --> 01:43:00,681
You shouldn't chuckle
with embarassment.
794
01:43:01,056 --> 01:43:06,562
I know you do it because of talk of
a confidence crisis in socialism.
795
01:43:06,812 --> 01:43:13,944
Capital is part of that vocabulary
but capitalism is still the problem.
796
01:43:14,194 --> 01:43:19,783
The emperor's more naked than ever.
That's what's happening now
797
01:43:20,033 --> 01:43:25,038
and they try to hide it with talk
shows that take up half the TV time.
798
01:43:25,163 --> 01:43:28,917
And yet Svante Nycander
at Dagens Nyheter is not satisfied.
799
01:43:29,168 --> 01:43:32,171
He'd give the economist prophets
800
01:43:32,671 --> 01:43:35,799
more hours of unchallenged TV time.
801
01:43:36,175 --> 01:43:39,052
How bad the crisis really is
802
01:43:39,178 --> 01:43:44,808
or how much is merely discussion
of a crisis in the mass media...
803
01:43:45,184 --> 01:43:47,186
That's something.
804
01:43:47,686 --> 01:43:54,693
We are greatly manipulated
by the mass media.
805
01:43:55,194 --> 01:44:03,410
And since we talk all the time of an
economic crisis, everyone debates it.
806
01:44:04,286 --> 01:44:06,914
Ten years ago it didn't exist.
807
01:44:07,289 --> 01:44:15,172
It is scary to see the twists and turns
of emphasis on economic questions.
808
01:44:15,547 --> 01:44:20,177
Let us just take the most extreme
recent example.
809
01:44:20,427 --> 01:44:23,555
There are many examples
of severance clauses
810
01:44:24,056 --> 01:44:26,683
but you said we will go through
this crisis together.
811
01:44:27,059 --> 01:44:33,315
How can Volvo workers, hundreds
of whom have been laid off...
812
01:44:33,565 --> 01:44:39,905
How can they go through this crisis
together with the CEO
813
01:44:40,155 --> 01:44:45,661
who gets 75 million in severance pay
and never has to work again?
814
01:44:45,786 --> 01:44:50,040
How can they agree on
a common solution to this crisis?
815
01:44:50,165 --> 01:44:56,171
One solution would be to take
the 75 million from this old man.
816
01:44:57,548 --> 01:45:01,802
He's not old. Actually he's 42.
817
01:45:03,554 --> 01:45:07,057
When they say go jointly
through the crisis
818
01:45:07,307 --> 01:45:10,310
they mean we should 'jointly' back up
819
01:45:10,686 --> 01:45:14,314
the richest 10% of the people
in the country.
820
01:45:14,940 --> 01:45:18,527
I feel that 'jointly' is
the wrong word here.
821
01:45:19,027 --> 01:45:22,281
What would you do about culture?
822
01:45:22,656 --> 01:45:27,160
If you compare the situation today,
what would you do?
823
01:45:27,411 --> 01:45:34,293
Write plays? What about?
Whose side would you be on?
824
01:45:34,793 --> 01:45:41,300
How would you go about it?
Street theatre? Could you tell us?
825
01:45:41,550 --> 01:45:46,680
New forms. Try a variety of views.
826
01:45:49,057 --> 01:45:55,189
Try to make it sparkle
with a lot of different views.
827
01:45:55,814 --> 01:45:57,441
Seek new forms.
828
01:45:57,691 --> 01:46:04,781
It seems now as if we're tied
to a single perspective.
829
01:46:05,157 --> 01:46:10,537
There's a lot of apathy.
No one has the energy.
830
01:46:10,787 --> 01:46:15,667
We need a new will.
We must find some kind of hope.
831
01:46:15,918 --> 01:46:20,547
In those days there was some hope
for the future and an optimism
832
01:46:20,923 --> 01:46:23,425
that doesn't exist now.
833
01:46:23,926 --> 01:46:27,679
There was also a belief in progress
834
01:46:28,305 --> 01:46:30,682
which we don't have now.
835
01:46:32,184 --> 01:46:38,690
The media is also a problem.
TV is the most powerful influence
836
01:46:38,941 --> 01:46:43,904
and it's completely engaged
by quiz shows today.
837
01:46:45,280 --> 01:46:48,909
That really should be changed.
838
01:46:49,535 --> 01:46:56,667
Such entertainment drowns
the will to change society.
839
01:47:02,923 --> 01:47:09,555
Watkins' statement continues
by describing the repression
840
01:47:09,805 --> 01:47:16,436
exercised by global television
to prevent public debate
841
01:47:16,687 --> 01:47:20,816
about this concentration of power.
842
01:47:21,567 --> 01:47:28,156
Watkins describes also how the mass
audio-visal media deliberately use
843
01:47:28,407 --> 01:47:35,038
a rapidly edited and fragmented
language-form (pictures and sound)
844
01:47:35,289 --> 01:47:40,169
To manipulate audiences to stay
in front of the screen.
845
01:47:51,305 --> 01:47:58,437
An extract from
The Swedish People
846
01:47:59,188 --> 01:48:05,402
"Lately we have noticed that the press
is not living up to its task
847
01:48:05,652 --> 01:48:10,657
"of dealing with the
big questions of our time.
848
01:48:10,908 --> 01:48:17,039
"Lts misdemeanour is that it has made
the people accustomed to deal
849
01:48:17,289 --> 01:48:23,170
"with small and petty interests
which takes their attention
850
01:48:23,420 --> 01:48:26,673
"from the bigger issues."
851
01:48:31,803 --> 01:48:35,807
What do you have to say? Nothing?
852
01:48:37,684 --> 01:48:41,063
- What can one say?
- There's nothing to say.
853
01:48:41,188 --> 01:48:47,903
- It's a sick man's fantasies.
- It's shocking to hear.
854
01:48:49,404 --> 01:48:53,283
Strindberg, the most
important writer of our time...
855
01:48:53,784 --> 01:48:57,412
But not our most important historian.
856
01:48:57,412 --> 01:49:03,293
That's it. The Swedish People
pretends to be a history book.
857
01:49:04,795 --> 01:49:08,674
This is a sick man who
had problems in his childhood
858
01:49:08,924 --> 01:49:14,555
and he tries to redress
this through self-promotion
859
01:49:15,931 --> 01:49:20,435
with sarcastic attacks in his book.
860
01:49:21,061 --> 01:49:25,065
The attack on Geijer is shameful.
861
01:49:25,315 --> 01:49:29,528
- I agree.
- One of our time's...
862
01:49:31,530 --> 01:49:36,159
If one has scientific pretensions,
one should be scientific.
863
01:49:36,410 --> 01:49:40,539
There is nothing scientific
about The Swedish People.
864
01:49:40,789 --> 01:49:43,292
Science is not the point.
865
01:49:43,542 --> 01:49:48,547
It's to involve the population.
Not just professors and experts.
866
01:49:50,299 --> 01:49:53,051
A literary monstrosity!
867
01:49:53,677 --> 01:49:56,930
- It's nothing.
- Strindberg represents a new...
868
01:49:57,181 --> 01:50:03,812
Nonsense, it's not history.
It's not a novel. It's nothing!
869
01:50:04,188 --> 01:50:09,401
To a large part of the population
it's an important book.
870
01:50:10,903 --> 01:50:16,783
The majority don't give a damn that
you in the Capital sit drinking punch.
871
01:50:17,159 --> 01:50:21,288
Most people can't afford this book.
872
01:50:21,663 --> 01:50:28,545
It encourages many people
to begin reading. To learn to read.
873
01:50:29,546 --> 01:50:37,930
1865 - 1875. The Stockholm press
expands its output tenfold.
874
01:50:38,931 --> 01:50:45,562
Many weekly magazines. Such as
The Family Journal and The Family Friend
875
01:50:45,812 --> 01:50:49,650
target directly the middle-class.
876
01:50:50,651 --> 01:50:55,531
These weekly magazine invite
an escape from reality
877
01:50:55,906 --> 01:51:01,662
in the form of horror stories,
romances and many illustrations.
878
01:51:47,791 --> 01:51:53,046
The number of children born in wedlock
in Stockholm begins a sharp climb.
879
01:51:53,297 --> 01:51:54,298
The age of the so-called
"nuclear family" has begun.
880
01:51:54,298 --> 01:51:56,049
Hello, my boy.
The age of the so-called
"nuclear family" has begun.
881
01:51:56,049 --> 01:51:57,176
The age of the so-called
"nuclear family" has begun.
882
01:51:58,177 --> 01:51:59,553
Hello. Father.
883
01:51:59,928 --> 01:52:04,808
- What are you doing. August?
- Playing with nuts.
884
01:52:05,058 --> 01:52:10,189
I see that. Where did you get them?
885
01:52:11,899 --> 01:52:14,902
- I found them.
- Found them?
886
01:52:15,652 --> 01:52:17,279
Where?
887
01:52:18,655 --> 01:52:23,410
- On my way home from school.
- Such fine nuts?
888
01:52:27,039 --> 01:52:32,419
- Where on the way?
- By the roadside.
889
01:52:33,045 --> 01:52:36,423
So these fine nuts...
890
01:52:38,926 --> 01:52:43,180
You can't find nuts like that
just anywhere.
891
01:52:43,805 --> 01:52:46,934
Tell me now where you got them.
892
01:52:47,434 --> 01:52:49,311
August!
893
01:52:49,811 --> 01:52:52,189
At the wagonmaker's.
894
01:52:53,273 --> 01:52:59,279
- Did he give them to you?
- No. They were on the ground.
895
01:53:00,280 --> 01:53:03,659
They are his property, not yours.
896
01:53:04,034 --> 01:53:06,537
Did you steal them?
897
01:53:11,291 --> 01:53:16,547
What is the truth about
Strindberg's parents?
898
01:53:19,049 --> 01:53:25,180
Were they the despots
he makes them out to be?
899
01:53:26,181 --> 01:53:30,060
Can we trust his version?
900
01:53:32,813 --> 01:53:37,401
He says himself this is
not an autobiography.
901
01:53:38,026 --> 01:53:44,783
Nor is it pure fantasy but simply
the story of a mind's development.
902
01:53:46,285 --> 01:53:52,666
What is true? What is fiction?
903
01:53:53,292 --> 01:53:57,546
We can never know.
904
01:53:58,922 --> 01:54:03,051
And the question poses itself.
905
01:54:03,927 --> 01:54:09,433
What is the artist's responsibility
906
01:54:09,933 --> 01:54:12,936
when he presents us
with such a story?
907
01:54:14,813 --> 01:54:19,401
The artist's freedom
versus his responsibility.
908
01:54:42,925 --> 01:54:47,679
Excuse me. I'd like to ask
you a few questions if I may.
909
01:54:51,558 --> 01:54:54,686
I'll begin with you and Siri.
910
01:54:55,562 --> 01:55:05,531
When you went away into exile.
Did you discuss it together?
911
01:55:07,908 --> 01:55:10,410
Of course we did...
912
01:55:12,788 --> 01:55:18,043
since I was, in fact,
forced to leave.
913
01:55:22,673 --> 01:55:25,801
Was Siri happy to go with you?
914
01:55:26,176 --> 01:55:30,931
I think you are trying to
insinuate something that...
915
01:55:31,306 --> 01:55:35,811
- No, no...
...there was no discussion at all.
916
01:55:36,061 --> 01:55:39,648
I thought she was working
in the theatre...
917
01:55:40,023 --> 01:55:42,025
Can you shut up?
918
01:55:42,651 --> 01:55:44,903
It was simply this:
919
01:55:45,153 --> 01:55:49,533
I felt I was forced to get away
because I was under attack
920
01:55:50,033 --> 01:55:52,160
from just about everybody.
921
01:55:52,411 --> 01:55:59,668
But I think it was hardest
for Siri and the children.
922
01:56:01,920 --> 01:56:05,299
They were subjected
to terrible persecution
923
01:56:05,549 --> 01:56:11,430
because I was attacked and
they were being attacked indirectly.
924
01:56:14,433 --> 01:56:19,146
You must see. I find it strange.
925
01:56:19,771 --> 01:56:24,776
She wanted to be an actress
and she had worked in the theatre.
926
01:56:26,153 --> 01:56:30,532
Was she happy giving it up?
927
01:56:31,283 --> 01:56:35,162
It wasn't a question of being happy.
928
01:56:35,537 --> 01:56:40,542
The situation was forced
on us by circumstances.
929
01:56:40,792 --> 01:56:45,297
All right, forget that.
I have another question.
930
01:56:49,051 --> 01:56:54,806
You often accuse Siri of
being unfaithful. True?
931
01:56:58,936 --> 01:57:04,274
- Not accuse, I just state a fact.
- Were you unfaithful to her?
932
01:57:06,401 --> 01:57:11,156
- Why should I answer that?
- All right, forget it.
933
01:57:11,532 --> 01:57:17,037
I'm asking the questions
but if you refuse to answer...
934
01:57:17,788 --> 01:57:26,672
- Why ask such personal questions?
- Because I want to know.
935
01:57:28,048 --> 01:57:35,180
- I think it's important. Don't you?
- Important to know I was unfaithful?
936
01:57:35,556 --> 01:57:38,809
- I think it means something.
- Have you ever been unfaithful?
937
01:57:39,059 --> 01:57:41,436
This film is about you.
938
01:57:42,020 --> 01:57:45,774
- Have you ever been unfaithful?
- That's irrelevant.
939
01:57:46,024 --> 01:57:50,529
The film is about you.
You have no reason to question me.
940
01:57:51,280 --> 01:57:54,908
Don't I? Jesus!
941
01:57:55,158 --> 01:58:01,790
If you ask questions. I have every
reason to query your questions.
942
01:58:02,040 --> 01:58:03,917
Especially your motives.
943
01:58:04,168 --> 01:58:07,171
Why is it interesting
if I've been unfaithful?
944
01:58:07,421 --> 01:58:12,426
- You're an interesting person.
- It's a personal question, isn't it?
945
01:58:12,676 --> 01:58:16,305
All right. No personal questions.
946
01:58:29,776 --> 01:58:33,030
What do you think of this?
947
01:58:36,533 --> 01:58:40,037
There are two sides.
948
01:58:40,787 --> 01:58:44,541
Conservatives think
you're sloppy. Unscientific.
949
01:58:44,791 --> 01:58:51,798
It's precisely those old fools
in their academic chairs...
950
01:58:54,801 --> 01:58:58,555
- Calm down. There are others.
- What do you mean?
951
01:58:58,805 --> 01:59:04,895
- "Fresh. Lively" Handelstidningen.
- Handelstidningen!
952
01:59:05,771 --> 01:59:16,156
The most rigid conservatives!
Absolute imbeciles. Idiots!
953
01:59:17,533 --> 01:59:24,164
How can they be given space
in newspapers? It's incredible!
954
01:59:24,790 --> 01:59:26,792
The reviews are not all bad.
955
01:59:27,042 --> 01:59:31,547
It's all bad when my friends
and colleagues
956
01:59:31,797 --> 01:59:34,675
refuse to defend what I write.
957
01:59:36,051 --> 01:59:40,556
They all belong to
the same damned coterie.
958
01:59:49,398 --> 01:59:54,152
- Some of them think it's good.
- Oh?
959
01:59:54,403 --> 01:59:59,908
Yes. "Fresh and lively."
Surely that's good?
960
02:00:00,659 --> 02:00:05,664
"Fresh and lively." I've spent
a whole year working
961
02:00:05,914 --> 02:00:10,294
and it's a fresh and lively tale!
Thank you very much!
962
02:00:10,919 --> 02:00:15,799
But read what that damned
Eichorn wrote. Read this!
963
02:00:19,303 --> 02:00:24,183
And he's a prominent man
with the right to write in a newspaper.
964
02:00:33,901 --> 02:00:37,654
I am Carl Oscar Strindberg.
965
02:00:41,408 --> 02:00:49,041
I was born in 1811 in Stockholm.
The youngest of three children.
966
02:00:51,793 --> 02:00:58,675
My brother Johan Ludvig became
a wholesaler. He's dead now.
967
02:00:59,927 --> 02:01:07,184
My dear sister Liset
married Samuel Owen.
968
02:01:10,020 --> 02:01:16,151
When I was still young. I started
work in my father's spice shop.
969
02:01:17,903 --> 02:01:25,035
He sold spices. But also cloth.
Wine and other things.
970
02:01:27,788 --> 02:01:34,169
My father Zacarias was a
well-known merchant in the city.
971
02:01:43,178 --> 02:01:51,770
In 1846 I started my steamboat
commission at Riddarholmen.
972
02:01:52,771 --> 02:01:57,651
My brother-in-law Samuel
helped me to get started.
973
02:02:00,404 --> 02:02:05,284
We have many boats in operation.
974
02:02:08,161 --> 02:02:16,920
We've done well, except for some
financial problems a few years ago.
975
02:02:26,305 --> 02:02:29,808
There's the Sigtuna boat.
976
02:02:33,145 --> 02:02:36,899
10:30. Right on time.
977
02:02:45,032 --> 02:02:50,162
I'm married.
Eleonora. My beloved wife.
978
02:02:50,787 --> 02:02:59,296
She's given me 11 children.
Seven are still alive. Thank God.
979
02:03:02,799 --> 02:03:05,802
We're doing well.
980
02:03:07,679 --> 02:03:16,146
We have a few troubles. One of
which is the damned hole in my leg.
981
02:03:17,147 --> 02:03:20,526
A sore that never heals.
982
02:03:23,278 --> 02:03:27,282
We have some problems
with the children.
983
02:03:27,783 --> 02:03:30,661
It'd be odd if we didn't.
984
02:03:38,418 --> 02:03:42,297
1861.
985
02:03:42,673 --> 02:03:53,517
Probably in this year Carl Oscar
Strindberg starts to keep a diary.
986
02:03:54,768 --> 02:04:02,401
His first entry. For 1811. consists
of three words: "I was born."
987
02:04:25,174 --> 02:04:28,302
We have a thief in the family.
988
02:04:29,928 --> 02:04:34,641
Do you know what happens
to boys who lie and steal?
989
02:04:36,268 --> 02:04:39,897
August, you are a thief!
990
02:04:44,026 --> 02:04:48,405
You accuse your parents
in "The Son of a Servant".
991
02:04:48,780 --> 02:04:53,035
It's severe criticism of them,
isn't it?
992
02:04:54,411 --> 02:04:58,916
- Yes.
- It's there to read.
993
02:05:00,417 --> 02:05:04,796
But the way you treated
your children...
994
02:05:06,423 --> 02:05:11,303
I must say, your parents
were angels...
995
02:05:15,432 --> 02:05:19,895
compared with the way
you treated your children.
996
02:05:22,397 --> 02:05:28,028
In letters to your 9-year old daughter
Kerstin, for instance. You write:
997
02:05:28,904 --> 02:05:34,284
"Adieu! And think of me
only as a memory. Your father."
998
02:05:34,535 --> 02:05:39,039
A 9-year-old! Christ!
How could you?
999
02:05:39,915 --> 02:05:45,295
In this scene, we mistakenly referred
to Kerstin Strindberg as aged 9
1000
02:05:45,546 --> 02:05:50,801
when Strindberg wrote to her
that she must forget him as a father.
1001
02:05:51,051 --> 02:05:53,679
In fact, she was aged 15.
1002
02:05:55,681 --> 02:06:01,270
- Are you human? How could you?
- Do you know the circumstances?
1003
02:06:01,520 --> 02:06:05,649
- The letters are there.
- You know nothing of the situation.
1004
02:06:05,774 --> 02:06:10,779
You have a couple of letters from
which you draw many conclusions.
1005
02:06:11,655 --> 02:06:15,534
- Have you ever?
- You can't possibly...
1006
02:06:15,784 --> 02:06:20,914
Just try to answer the question,
for God's sake!
1007
02:06:22,666 --> 02:06:27,421
If you want, take a pen
and write it instead!
1008
02:06:30,799 --> 02:06:34,178
You know nothing about the situation.
1009
02:06:34,428 --> 02:06:39,766
- You have a couple of letters...
- The situation...
1010
02:06:43,145 --> 02:06:46,273
What do you know about
the circumstances?
1011
02:06:46,398 --> 02:06:51,528
How the hell could you write that
to a 9-year old girl?
1012
02:06:55,282 --> 02:06:58,160
I don't understand.
You call yourself a man!
1013
02:06:58,410 --> 02:07:01,663
What's that got to do with it?
1014
02:07:02,039 --> 02:07:05,167
- You call yourself a man...
- Ah...
1015
02:07:06,668 --> 02:07:11,298
A man is a person who doesn't
write certain things to children?
1016
02:07:11,548 --> 02:07:16,303
Can't you answer? How could
you write that to a child?
1017
02:07:16,803 --> 02:07:20,766
- Because the situation was...
- The situation!
1018
02:07:23,143 --> 02:07:28,899
So the situation releases you from
all responsibility as a human being?
1019
02:07:30,275 --> 02:07:33,654
- Of course it doesn't.
- No.
1020
02:08:04,518 --> 02:08:08,897
You called. I felt it.
1021
02:08:10,399 --> 02:08:13,402
Why are you sitting here?
1022
02:08:22,661 --> 02:08:25,414
What are you waiting for?
1023
02:08:58,780 --> 02:09:04,286
My friend. We met yesterday
for the first time.
1024
02:09:05,287 --> 02:09:08,916
We talked alone for 4 hours.
1025
02:09:09,666 --> 02:09:15,172
You aroused my sympathy
but you mustn't abuse my kindness.
1026
02:09:32,272 --> 02:09:37,528
Enemies everywhere,
alone everywhere.
1027
02:09:56,547 --> 02:10:00,676
Why did you leave
your wife and children?
1028
02:10:05,138 --> 02:10:08,267
"Not as a step-daughter
1029
02:10:09,518 --> 02:10:14,398
"but rather as my wife's teacher
in the Swedish language.
1030
02:10:20,904 --> 02:10:26,660
"This proposal is simply to make
things easier for your mother.
1031
02:10:27,661 --> 02:10:32,165
"And assist you. Karin.
To make your way in the world
1032
02:10:32,416 --> 02:10:37,296
"without missing her like a child."
1033
02:10:58,775 --> 02:11:03,780
- I don't want to go to Germany.
- You don't have to.
1034
02:11:04,156 --> 02:11:09,286
- I don't want to leave here.
- You don't have to go to Germany.
1035
02:11:09,536 --> 02:11:12,664
I don't understand what he means.
1036
02:11:22,049 --> 02:11:26,803
You want power over the child
but still to keep me as a provider.
1037
02:11:28,388 --> 02:11:30,390
Yes, power...
1038
02:11:31,892 --> 02:11:37,022
What's this life and death struggle
been about if not power?
1039
02:11:40,150 --> 02:11:43,904
For me, since I don't
believe in a life to come...
1040
02:11:46,281 --> 02:11:49,409
my child was my after-life.
1041
02:11:51,161 --> 02:11:58,293
My idea of immortality. Perhaps
the only one with any basis in reality.
1042
02:12:04,550 --> 02:12:07,928
Take that away and
you cut off my life.
1043
02:12:11,014 --> 02:12:14,268
Why didn't we separate in time?
1044
02:12:16,770 --> 02:12:20,148
Because the child bound us together
1045
02:12:22,276 --> 02:12:25,279
but the bond became a chain.
1046
02:12:35,038 --> 02:12:36,790
- Who is the father?
- You!
1047
02:12:37,040 --> 02:12:38,792
No, I'm not!
1048
02:12:40,294 --> 02:12:44,548
A crime lies buried here
and it's beginning to stink.
1049
02:12:46,049 --> 02:12:49,178
And what a hellish crime!
1050
02:12:50,762 --> 02:12:56,393
I've served 17 years hard labour
and I was innocent.
1051
02:13:00,022 --> 02:13:05,527
- How can you repay me for that?
- You're completely mad.
1052
02:13:10,532 --> 02:13:12,659
That is your hope.
1053
02:13:17,289 --> 02:13:23,170
I've had my suspicions a long time
but I dared not hear them confirmed.
1054
02:13:25,172 --> 02:13:28,050
I have suffered this for you
What will you do for me?
1055
02:13:28,300 --> 02:13:30,427
What can I do?
1056
02:13:30,928 --> 02:13:35,390
I swear before God and all that's sacred
that you're Bertha's father.
1057
02:13:36,517 --> 02:13:41,772
What of it? You've said that a mother
can commit any crime for her child?
1058
02:13:46,902 --> 02:13:48,779
But I don't want to go.
1059
02:13:48,904 --> 02:13:51,907
I beg you. Tell me everything.
1060
02:13:52,908 --> 02:13:57,663
- I don't know what he means.
- I'm as helpless as a child.
1061
02:13:58,539 --> 02:14:02,292
Can't you hear I'm begging,
as if to my mother?
1062
02:14:03,168 --> 02:14:06,171
Can't you forget I'm a man?
1063
02:14:07,422 --> 02:14:09,925
Are you crying?
1064
02:14:12,302 --> 02:14:17,516
Yes, I'm crying although I'm a man.
1065
02:14:24,773 --> 02:14:29,278
Karin, we'll do this. Write a letter.
1066
02:14:38,036 --> 02:14:39,913
I'll help you.
1067
02:14:44,668 --> 02:14:48,422
- What shall I write?
- I'll help you.
1068
02:14:52,176 --> 02:14:56,013
Begin with the date. Helsinki.
1069
02:15:13,530 --> 02:15:17,159
May 8, 1894.
1070
02:15:24,917 --> 02:15:32,799
By now, Siri von Essen had ceased
to write to her former husband
1071
02:15:33,050 --> 02:15:37,888
and it was Karin's duty.
As the eldest child
1072
02:15:38,138 --> 02:15:41,892
to reply to Strindberg's letters.
1073
02:15:42,518 --> 02:15:49,024
Usually Karin wrote a draft
which Siri corrected and changed
1074
02:15:49,274 --> 02:15:53,529
before Karin wrote the final letter.
1075
02:15:53,779 --> 02:16:00,285
Siri says. " Karin writes
in such a cold way that you shiver."
1076
02:18:09,164 --> 02:18:15,671
1900. Strindberg meets Harriet Bosse,
a 22-year-old Norwegian actress.
1077
02:18:15,921 --> 02:18:22,386
She works with the new method
of acting introduced by Stanislavsky.
1078
02:18:23,262 --> 02:18:28,767
Strindberg casts Harriet Bosse
for the lead role of The Lady
1079
02:18:29,017 --> 02:18:31,645
in his drama "To Damascus".
1080
02:18:43,907 --> 02:18:49,663
He spoke about how hard
life has been for him
1081
02:18:50,414 --> 02:18:53,917
how he longed for a ray of light
1082
02:18:54,168 --> 02:19:00,924
for a woman who could reconcile
him with humanity and women.
1083
02:19:03,010 --> 02:19:06,763
Then he placed his
hands on my shoulders
1084
02:19:07,389 --> 02:19:12,519
and looked deep into my eyes.
1085
02:19:13,645 --> 02:19:16,023
Then he asked...
1086
02:19:16,523 --> 02:19:21,403
"Would you like to have a
baby with me, Miss Bosse?"
1087
02:19:22,029 --> 02:19:25,657
I curtsied and replied,
completely hypnotised
1088
02:19:28,160 --> 02:19:33,665
"Yes, thank you."
And so we were engaged.
1089
02:20:10,661 --> 02:20:17,543
May 6. 1901.
Strindberg and Harriet Bosse marry.
1090
02:21:12,264 --> 02:21:19,521
March 25, 1902. Harriet's daughter,
Anne-Marie, "Lillan"
1091
02:21:19,771 --> 02:21:27,279
with whom Strindberg develops
a fond relationship. Is born.
1092
02:22:23,544 --> 02:22:31,635
In the summer 1882. Strindberg was
on Kymmendِ in the Stockholm skerries
1093
02:22:32,386 --> 02:22:37,140
writing a book he called
The New Kingdom.
1094
02:22:39,268 --> 02:22:45,399
The New Kingdom
was a stringing attack
1095
02:22:46,900 --> 02:22:51,780
on the whole Swedish
establishment in all its guises.
1096
02:22:53,782 --> 02:23:00,163
He attacks the Royal Dramatic Theatre,
the Swedish Academy
1097
02:23:00,664 --> 02:23:07,171
the army, the university
and all the state authorities.
1098
02:23:08,297 --> 02:23:13,635
He attacks the sacred cows
of Swedish literature
1099
02:23:14,761 --> 02:23:17,639
like Bellman and Geijer
1100
02:23:18,015 --> 02:23:23,145
and particularly the critics
of The Swedish People
1101
02:23:23,270 --> 02:23:27,774
whom he derides with special vigour.
1102
02:23:28,525 --> 02:23:38,160
In a chapter called Moses he gives
his scurrilous view of Swedish Jews.
1103
02:23:39,912 --> 02:23:45,292
In his autobiography
The Son of a Servant
1104
02:23:45,292 --> 02:23:50,047
he calls The New Kingdom his revenge.
1105
02:24:19,535 --> 02:24:25,415
- Good morning.
- Good morning, sir!
1106
02:24:27,543 --> 02:24:31,421
"Your Bright Sun Comes Up Again"
1107
02:24:56,780 --> 02:24:59,533
One. Two...
1108
02:25:47,164 --> 02:25:55,130
They were afraid finally to move,
to make a sound.
1109
02:25:56,006 --> 02:26:04,139
Their primary duty and virtue
was to sit still and stay silent.
1110
02:26:33,168 --> 02:26:35,295
August.
1111
02:26:38,632 --> 02:26:42,386
I didn't steal any damned nuts.
1112
02:27:02,531 --> 02:27:05,784
You mustn't swear.
1113
02:27:36,648 --> 02:27:42,404
Siri entered a religious crisis
after her confirmation.
1114
02:27:43,030 --> 02:27:50,287
She began to feel totally powerless
against sin and evil.
1115
02:27:52,539 --> 02:27:56,043
She viewed herself critically.
1116
02:27:56,668 --> 02:28:07,763
She began to condemn wordly books,
thoughtless talk, jokes and games.
1117
02:28:08,514 --> 02:28:12,142
She had an enormous sense of guilt.
1118
02:28:17,523 --> 02:28:23,278
"One morning, after I had walked
down the rue de Fleurus
1119
02:28:23,529 --> 02:28:29,660
"to comfort myself by having
a look in the paint-shop window...
1120
02:28:30,160 --> 02:28:33,789
"I entered the Luxembourg Gardens
1121
02:28:34,164 --> 02:28:38,919
"now in full bloom
and lovely as a fairy-tale.
1122
02:28:39,419 --> 02:28:48,387
"There on the ground I found two twigs.
Broken off by the wind.
1123
02:28:48,637 --> 02:28:57,646
"They were shaped like
the Greek letters for P and Y...
1124
02:29:08,156 --> 02:29:11,910
"It struck me that
these stood for Popoffsky.
1125
02:29:12,160 --> 02:29:16,915
"I called on Providence and recited
the Psalms of David to my enemies."
1126
02:29:48,530 --> 02:29:52,659
I'm going to read a paragraph
1127
02:29:53,160 --> 02:29:57,915
from one of the essays
entitled The Public Lie.
1128
02:30:01,919 --> 02:30:06,882
"Since the society is built upon
broken agreements...
1129
02:30:08,133 --> 02:30:10,385
"that is to say lies...
1130
02:30:10,761 --> 02:30:16,141
"simple natural relationships
are now so complicated
1131
02:30:16,517 --> 02:30:22,272
"that 'the public sector' has
become a singular necessity
1132
02:30:23,649 --> 02:30:27,903
"a kind of silent social agreement
1133
02:30:28,529 --> 02:30:33,158
"that cannot be broken
without some anguish.
1134
02:30:33,909 --> 02:30:42,793
"Thus dreadful turbulence may follow
a true word spoken at the right time.
1135
02:30:44,753 --> 02:30:52,261
"It's no joke that so indiscreet a man
is called a danger to the society."
1136
02:31:17,411 --> 02:31:23,041
So the talk about you and him
travelling abroad is nothing?
1137
02:31:24,543 --> 02:31:29,756
Yes, it worries me a little... a lot.
1138
02:31:31,383 --> 02:31:34,511
He gets these ideas.
1139
02:31:34,761 --> 02:31:38,140
Come on, you bastards!
1140
02:31:40,767 --> 02:31:45,022
They write and talk about him
so much now.
1141
02:31:46,148 --> 02:31:49,276
He feels a lot of pressure.
1142
02:31:50,027 --> 02:31:54,156
He'd like to leave right away.
1143
02:31:56,658 --> 02:31:59,912
What will you do?
1144
02:32:04,791 --> 02:32:08,754
We'll go with him, the children and I.
1145
02:32:14,009 --> 02:32:18,263
But only for a short time.
1146
02:32:30,901 --> 02:32:33,779
I don't understand you.
1147
02:32:36,532 --> 02:32:44,039
One minute the theatre is best for you,
then it is best here.
1148
02:32:44,665 --> 02:32:50,003
One minute he's jealous, the next
there is nothing to worry about.
1149
02:32:54,383 --> 02:32:59,388
Then he wants to go abroad.
The next minute he doesn't.
1150
02:33:03,267 --> 02:33:06,019
Constantly hopping about.
1151
02:33:07,396 --> 02:33:17,030
But he sits in his writer's cottage.
Writing away, in his own world.
1152
02:33:17,656 --> 02:33:20,033
Then he steps outside
1153
02:33:20,409 --> 02:33:25,414
and it's as if he doesn't realize
this is another world here.
1154
02:33:25,539 --> 02:33:29,001
And he remains behind in his...
1155
02:33:30,627 --> 02:33:32,880
unreal world.
1156
02:33:34,756 --> 02:33:38,135
And gets these ideas.
1157
02:33:41,013 --> 02:33:46,268
His jealousy is groundless.
1158
02:33:50,147 --> 02:33:54,526
If he's jealous of a dog. Well...
1159
02:34:00,282 --> 02:34:05,662
It's so ridiculous. It's laughable.
1160
02:34:09,666 --> 02:34:15,005
But it's not pleasant
when these outbursts come.
1161
02:34:16,006 --> 02:34:18,509
It's very trying.
1162
02:34:39,404 --> 02:34:43,158
Strindberg and Harriet
constantly quarrel
1163
02:34:43,408 --> 02:34:48,539
as their feelings for each other
grow ever stronger.
1164
02:35:40,132 --> 02:35:43,385
"Unrighteous witnesses come forward.
1165
02:35:44,136 --> 02:35:50,017
"They question me about it.
That which I do not know.
1166
02:35:51,894 --> 02:35:58,150
"They reward me with eternal pain.
Forsaken is my soul.
1167
02:36:06,533 --> 02:36:12,289
"I wore mourning when they were ill.
I mortified my soul and I fasted.
1168
02:36:12,414 --> 02:36:15,626
"I prayed with my head bowed.
1169
02:36:16,877 --> 02:36:21,507
"I acted as if the man
was my friend, my brother.
1170
02:36:21,882 --> 02:36:26,887
"I walked bent over
like someone mourning their mother."
1171
02:37:07,261 --> 02:37:14,643
If you reflect spontaneously
on what...
1172
02:37:17,020 --> 02:37:21,650
characterizes Strindberg's
attitude to religion
1173
02:37:23,777 --> 02:37:32,035
you can't fail to be struck by
his enormous sense of guilt
1174
02:37:32,911 --> 02:37:36,748
the huge burden of guilt...
1175
02:37:38,375 --> 02:37:45,757
he seemed to contend with
in various ways all his life.
1176
02:37:50,512 --> 02:37:53,140
One wonders...
1177
02:37:54,766 --> 02:38:04,151
where this enormous sense
of guilt actually came from
1178
02:38:04,776 --> 02:38:10,532
and it's not far-fetched to imagine
1179
02:38:11,658 --> 02:38:17,414
that something affected him
very deeply in childhood
1180
02:38:17,873 --> 02:38:20,751
the pietistic tradition...
1181
02:38:23,378 --> 02:38:34,389
a strict. Moral, law-abiding piety
1182
02:38:35,766 --> 02:38:42,022
that influenced him in a deep
sense during the whole of his life.
1183
02:38:46,777 --> 02:38:54,785
There is so much talk in Luther's
theology of the law and the gospel.
1184
02:38:57,663 --> 02:39:03,502
"The law. Commandments. Norms...
1185
02:39:06,129 --> 02:39:16,139
"serve the purpose," Luther says. " of
making people aware of their guilt
1186
02:39:16,640 --> 02:39:22,145
"aware of how impossible
it is to adhere to this law
1187
02:39:22,396 --> 02:39:28,777
"simply because human beings
are what they are: Human."
1188
02:39:30,153 --> 02:39:37,661
And it is this insight that adherence
to the law is impossible
1189
02:39:39,913 --> 02:39:45,127
that makes man realize his need
for the gospel.
1190
02:39:45,252 --> 02:39:55,262
As Luther says, "The law drives
man to Christ. Towards atonement."
1191
02:39:57,514 --> 02:40:01,268
In Strindberg's case. It's as if...
1192
02:40:02,144 --> 02:40:07,900
this law anaesthetizes him
virtually all his life.
1193
02:40:10,777 --> 02:40:20,037
He mentions in many places that
Christ is completely alien to him.
1194
02:40:22,623 --> 02:40:26,251
Particularly during
his "Inferno crisis"
1195
02:40:31,507 --> 02:40:42,142
he works so hard to identify
with religious figures and interprets...
1196
02:40:44,645 --> 02:40:55,531
and tries to grasp what is happening
within him in metaphysical terms.
1197
02:40:58,659 --> 02:41:01,537
He says it is The Old Testament
1198
02:41:03,497 --> 02:41:10,254
that gives him comfort and helps him
interpret his inner experiences.
1199
02:41:11,505 --> 02:41:17,761
The New Testament leaves him cold.
He doesn't understand it.
1200
02:41:19,012 --> 02:41:25,769
Words like compassion
mean nothing to him.
1201
02:41:34,403 --> 02:41:47,875
I believe it is a dark and dismal
image of God that we find...
1202
02:41:55,757 --> 02:42:01,763
in Strindberg's writings
and in his attitude to religion.
1203
02:42:03,265 --> 02:42:06,643
But Strindberg is no theologian
1204
02:42:06,894 --> 02:42:19,781
and he writes that when he returns
to religion it is not a religion...
1205
02:42:21,783 --> 02:42:27,497
of opinions based on theories.
1206
02:42:28,248 --> 02:42:38,509
It is rather. He says, a stream of
perceptions that condense into ideas
1207
02:42:39,384 --> 02:42:46,141
a state of mind that he tries
to deal with and understand.
1208
02:42:47,017 --> 02:42:51,772
And I feel. At the bottom of it all
1209
02:42:52,397 --> 02:42:58,779
there is a kind of existential point
of departure which is this guilt
1210
02:43:01,156 --> 02:43:03,534
that he can never be rid of.
1211
02:43:33,397 --> 02:43:35,399
August...
1212
02:43:38,026 --> 02:43:44,157
You must promise to take care
of your brothers and sisters.
1213
02:43:50,497 --> 02:43:54,001
And promise me one thing more.
1214
02:43:56,879 --> 02:44:00,507
Be very wary, August. Wary of...
1215
02:44:04,636 --> 02:44:07,764
of bad women.
1216
02:44:20,277 --> 02:44:27,784
Live by the word of God. August.
Then life will be good to you.
1217
02:44:57,898 --> 02:45:04,154
I wanted to go to acting school.
1218
02:45:05,906 --> 02:45:13,497
You have that natural brilliance
that so many actresses lack.
1219
02:45:16,375 --> 02:45:21,630
A kind of power, honesty.
1220
02:45:22,881 --> 02:45:27,010
I'm convinced you'll be excellent
on stage.
1221
02:45:33,267 --> 02:45:40,023
The question is how
passionately you want to
1222
02:45:42,401 --> 02:45:46,029
and how strong your will is.
1223
02:45:47,531 --> 02:45:52,119
You're not talking about
the theatre again?
1224
02:45:52,619 --> 02:45:55,873
Haven't you given up those whims?
1225
02:46:27,779 --> 02:46:30,407
"Beloved Lady!
1226
02:46:30,782 --> 02:46:37,372
"You don't believe you have genius.
You think genius is a sharp brain.
1227
02:46:38,123 --> 02:46:39,875
"It isn't.
1228
02:46:40,250 --> 02:46:44,755
"I don't have the sharpest of brains
but I have fire.
1229
02:46:45,005 --> 02:46:49,259
"My fire is the greatest in Sweden
1230
02:46:49,885 --> 02:46:55,390
"and, if you wish. I will set fire
to this whole vile nest.
1231
02:46:55,891 --> 02:46:57,768
"You have fire.
1232
02:46:58,018 --> 02:47:03,273
"It's that hidden flame
that worries and torments you
1233
02:47:03,774 --> 02:47:08,278
"that drives you and has been
glowing there for years
1234
02:47:09,655 --> 02:47:14,409
"and that so many damned
fools have sought to smother.
1235
02:47:14,660 --> 02:47:18,372
"Come. Fulfill your high goals!
1236
02:47:18,872 --> 02:47:21,875
"You can be an actress.
1237
02:47:22,251 --> 02:47:28,257
"I'll give you your own theatre.
I and Edvard B. And Frippe.
1238
02:47:29,007 --> 02:47:34,388
"I shall act with you
and write and love you.
1239
02:47:35,889 --> 02:47:39,268
"You've a crime on your conscience.
1240
02:47:39,518 --> 02:47:45,399
"You wanted the rewards of genius.
But you refused martyrdom.
1241
02:47:46,275 --> 02:47:49,027
"And it is a sweet martyrdom.
1242
02:47:49,778 --> 02:47:51,905
"Fulfill your destiny.
1243
02:47:52,030 --> 02:47:58,120
"Be the greatest actress
in this country!"
1244
02:47:59,162 --> 02:48:02,291
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1244
02:48:03,305 --> 02:48:09,712
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