LYFTET (THE SCORE)
Sweden, 1978, 117 minutes, Colour.
Anders Lonnbro.
Directed by Christer Dahl.
Lyftet (The Score) is a Swedish film of socialist concern in the late 1970s. It focuses on a criminal who is finally released from jail but finds himself entangles with bureaucratic red tape. He decides then that he will get even by another big score.
The film is based on some Swedish characters of the 1970s, communists who decided that the best way to protest against society was by robbing the capitalists.
The film is serious in its undertones – though comic in it presentation of its characters as well as the situations.
1. The title, its contemporary tone, reference to drugs? Background of crime?
2. A Swedish production, atmosphere, technical side? A portrait of aspects of Swedish society? A critique? A presentation of justice, the prison system? How authentic? The central character as adviser and screen writer?
3. The issues of justice with reference to real people, their lives and backgrounds? Moral issues? The relationship of society to crime, crime prevention, justice?
4. Colour photography, the atmosphere of the cities, the countryside, given work situations? The contrast with prison and the attention to prison detail of cells, offices, corridors, chapel, halls, dining room etc.? The strong score with its various themes and the use of varying instru-ments to highlight atmosphere and dramatic situations?
5. The significance of the opening, the focus on Kenneth and his drug addiction, his need, behaviour in the city, the connections, money? Friends and the decision to rob? The farcical aspects of taking the guns from the school children? The inept robbery and the confrontation by the bank customers, the police reaction and catching them, the interviews and the police promoting themselves and the danger of the situation? A tone given for Kenneth, his companions, the police, justice, prisons?
6. The transition to Kenneth's having spent four years in jail? The effect on him, his wanting to get out desperately, his hopes? Drug-running within the prison? Kenneth and the temptation to use drugs? his friend who acted as his protector? The tension in the final days before his leaving?
7. Kenneth as an average young man, background of family, education, work? His drug addiction and the need for money? His experience in prison and his tough attitudes? let his hopes, abilities? His intel¬ligence? His capacity for violence and his reactions? His confrontations with the guards?
8. The various people in prison? The pushers, Kenneth's companions, work-mates, his protector and his friendliness - and his background of alcoholism? The guards and their being in the drug-running?
9. Swedish prisons and their appearance, the attention to detail, clean, personal belongings and some comfort in the cells? let the separation from society? The personnel working there? The guards and their violence, their being victims of violence by the prisoners? Prisons as reflecting the attitudes of society?
10. The introduction to Karen? Her visit, her love for Kenneth, their love, sexual encounter and its being interrupted by the prison guard? Her waiting for him to come out of prison, her being at the station? Her pregnancy and looking forward to the birth? The introduction to her family - the dour father, the giggling mother? The home, the meal, the discussions? Karen as influenced by her parents? Her parents' dislike of Kenneth? Her decision to go with him, the setting up of the house and the feminine touch to the house? Their life together and the potential for happiness? The hopes for the baby? Karen's reaction to Kenneth's going back to prison, the uncertainty, people not answering her questions, the frustration of the telephone call to the guard? How credible was her desperation and slashing her wrists? The reaction to Kenneth in the hospital, her siding with her parents? Her fear when he arrived after escaping? The reconciliation? How well drawn a character, sympathetic, a victim and unable to cope with difficulties and the unexpected?
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him? The father and his hostility? The advice to Karen? Their hos¬tility to Kenneth and the father being attacked and Kenneth being charged and imprisoned?
12. The importance of work for ex-prisoners, parole rules? The temp¬tations to not conform to the rules? The difficulty in seeking work and its not being available? Strikes and financial difficulties?
13. The build-up to Kenneth's re-arrest - the sequence with the buying of the bed? The misunderstanding, Kenneth as victim, his being delayed, the meetings, bureaucracy, his going berserk and remaining in prison? The pathos of Karen's suicide attempt and Kenneth's release, the feelings of futility?
14. The repercussions of his attack on Karen's father, imprisonment again, the decision for escape, the way this was achieved by the disguise, the religious service? The taking of the mini-bus? The en¬hancing of the reports? The drug connections, the possibility of so much money, the danger with guns and shooting? The death of the friend?
15. Kenneth's advice to give up and return to prison for his own safety? His decision to do so? His hopes? The reconciliation with Karen and his joy in having his son?
16. The presentation, of the Swedish police and their enlarging reports jails, rehabilitation? A portrait of a person and his relationship with society?
