DUNDERKLUMPEN

Sweden, 1974, 97 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Per Ahlin.

Dunderklumpen is an animated film for children – very popular in its native Sweden and in many parts of the world during the 1970s.

The setting is northern Sweden, the family life of the Wolgers (and the film was written by Beppe Wolgers who appears in the film as himself). The film is based on the legend of Dunderklumpen who comes in from the forest, takes the dolls of the little girls of the family and makes them come alive. The daughter follows into the forest – as does her father. The film then is a pleasant picture of Dunderklumpen, the exploits of the little girls, the concern of the family. It is a film for smaller children.

1. For whom was this film made? What age? How enjoyable for its audience? Why?

2. Comment on the style of the film: the portrayal of real-life characters, the animation parts, the blend of both? The style of the animation for the fairytale characters? Humour, seriousness?

3. The film as a fairy story and its impact? Audience response to fairy stories? The well-known aspects of the story and expectations? What kind of fairy story was this?

4. The importance of the Swedish setting, the atmosphere of Midsummer Night and its visual portrayal? The fairy-like atmosphere of midsummer? The fantasy of a Midsummer Night? The fantasy as a kind of dream? Insight
into Sweden and its fairy stories, parents, children?

5. How interesting and enjoyable was the portrayal of the family? The Swedish style, family life, mother and father at home, the boy?

6. The focus of attention on the boy and his father? Audiences identifying with the boy? The importance of the search for the toys? The father's search for his son?

7. What kind of character was Dunderklumpen? The first entry and audience response to the animation? His taking the toys, his songs and the musical background?

8. Response to the magic toys and their way of acting? What did they represent? Their following Dunderklumpen?

9. The sequence with the money and Dunderklumpen being tricked?

10. The importance of the Fairy and finding a solution?

11. The mountain coming alive and his entry into the story and trying to resolve the situation?

12. How villainous was the villain? Why was he trying to deceive Dunderklumpen? How bad was he? How well punished?

13. The old woman and her intervention?

14. How happy was the resolution? Good triumphing, evil punished?

15. What values did the film stand for? What values did it presuppose in its young audiences? Which values did it reinforce? How enjoyable and delightful?