HARRY MUNTER

Sweden, 1969, 101 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Kjell Grede.

Harry Munter, the second film directed by Kjell Grede. His first was the charming study of children Hugo and Josefin. Munter means happy in Swedish and this is an allegory of an idealistic young adolescent who believes that charity should begin at home, who is devoted to people in need and his family and in tempted to move away from it to a bigger and better life - especially in terms of the American dream. The film is beautifully photographed, employs a mixture of symbolism and realism to convey its message. It is an appealing film of the transition from adolescent optimism to disenchantment and a sense of realism. Its observation of human nature in charming and perceptive.

1. The significance of the title and its focus on Harry Munter as meaning 'happy’? The theme of the film?

2. What was the overall impression of this film? An enjoyable film, puzzling, interesting? A film of goodness and happiness? A film of sadness?

3. The significance of the credits background, the impressionist paintings of Harry, the strange drumming music, the initial impact of Harry?

4. How attractive was the use of colour, its importance for mood in this kind of film? The location photography in the country, in the city, airports etc.? The relationship between fantasy and reality? Comment on the use of the music and the use of popular classics. Did this add to the film or were they distracting? Important or trite?

5. What kind of person was Harry? How much of in actor, how much in touch with reality? The initial impact of his ‘clown’ presentation and on stilts, interest in him? How did interest grow? Did sympathy with him grow? why?

6. Was the theme of ‘Harry the clown’ developed throughout the film? The features of his clownings impassive face, clothes and hat, stilts and clown's makeup, foolidhness for serving others, his foolish judgments about values? To the extent that he was a clown and a sufferer, was he presented as some Christ-figure? How was he presented as a figure of modern revolutions the criticism of contemporary values, opting out, wanting love and harmony? Were these themes significant and significantly communicated?

7. How did the film present Harry in himself, the memories of Harry as a boy, Harry as an adolescent, his relationship as a son, as a genius, his kindness to other people, his capacity for love, the emphasis on lust? How was Harry a young modern Everyman?

8. The significance of Harry and his relationship to his parents? The presentation of this during the holiday, his looking at them through the telescope, his distancing himself from them, how close was he to them? His hurt at their fights? Their eagerness to go to America? His refusing?

9. How did the film comment on modern capitalistic attitudes, especially in the Americans and their offer? Their big plans and botches? Why did Harry not agree with these principles? Why did he change his mind to go? What effect did the flight have on him? Why was he reluctant at Copenhagen, the significance of the confrontation in the toilet, why did he want to return? Did he make the right choice for himself?

10. Why were the parents' hopes so strong about America? The father and the presentation of him at work, as a printer, trying to be better than he was, talking to his fellow workers, his fascination with America? The scenes of the father and his not understanding the American, his emphasis on eating? What kind of man was he? Audience sympathy or not? The mother: Why had she married, her attitude towards her husband? Fascination with the American? The possibility of an affair? The violence of the parents' fight? The effect of this on Harry? Tying them together?

11. Comment on the presentation of the American way of life and style, money and ambitions, the contrast with Sweden and its way of life. What conclusions did the film make?

12. The importance of Manne in the film? The effect on Harry, the first confrontation with him lying on the railway line, Harry's liking Manne, getting the money to help him? Why was Manne suffering? His memories, his lack of strength, inability to help himself? How much did Harry mean to Manne and vice versa? The nature of this charity?

13. Harry's relationship to the girl and his imagining that her attacker was unreal, the impact of Harry in her life, her impact on him? The two girls, the chaste love, the carnal love? Harry's effect on them? Their effect on him? Harry's relationship with his grandmothers, being present at one's death, the joy of washing the other one, getting the money for Manne? How important were all these relationships to Harry in comparison with the future?

14. What happened to Harry when he returned from Copenhagen? Tying his parents, his allowing himself to be bashed, taking so many pills? The significance of this death wish? In comparison with his lying under the train?

15. The significance of his happy dream? The heavenly happiness? The significance of his life? His life as a cause for others? The little boy and his significance, bringing Harry back to life?

16. The significance for the future for Harry? What decisions did he have to make?

17. How interesting a picture of modern life was this? An exploration of human nature? An optimistic view of life?