ONE SUMMER OF HAPPINESS

Sweden, 1951, 103 minutes, Black-and-white.
Ulla Jacobson, Folke Sundquist, Edvin Adolphson, John Elfstrom, Irma Christenson.
Directed by Arne Mattsson.

This is very much a Swedish film of the postwar period, somewhat in the style of neo-Realism. There is a focus on life in a village, work in the fields. The film uses effective black-and-white contrasts in focusing on situations but, especially, on close-ups of the characters.

In itself, the film offers a plot which is familiar enough but presented with some sympathy, even tenderness.

A young graduate goes out into the country to help with work in the fields. He is not used to country life. He encounters a teenage girl, Kerstin, and is attracted to her. In many ways she is reticent. But she is also playful. She comes from a fairly severe family. The attraction develops, continued meetings and then disappearances. She is finally persuaded to take part in the play the young people are putting on – and using a barn given them by the farmer because the very strict Minister of the village has locked them out of church property.

In fact, the film opens with Kirsten’s funeral and a very judgemental and severe prayer from the Minister. The story ends sadly, the young man coming back to the country to be with Kirsten but her being killed in a road accident. And as the film ends with that funeral sequence and a repetition of the severe words of the Minister. However, one of the farmers contradicts the Minister and praises the love between the two.

Ingmar Bergman began making films about this time and One Summer of Happiness is reminiscent of early Bergman films.

It can be noted that in 1951 the brief, very brief, swimming and nudity sequence was the subject of censorship and legal prohibitions, especially in some areas of the United States.

1. A Swedish classic? The 1950s? Berlin awards? The style of Swedish filmmaking in the 1950s, black-and-white photography, close-ups, the style of neo-Realism? Ingmar Bergman soon to emerge?

2. The settings, the village, life in the village, the domination of the Minister? The opening with the funeral, his harsh words about aberration and God’s vengeance? The glimpse of all the people of at the funeral, the focus on Goran and his leaving?

3. The story in flashback, the postwar period, life in the village, the work in the fields, the crops, harvest? The adults, the households, hard work? The different characters, the family, Anders, the more benign husband, the uncle, the woman and her severity?

4. Kerstin, her age, pretending, coming to work, in the fields? The background of her family severity? The meeting with Goran, the attraction?

5. Goran, his character, studies, graduation, his age, the attraction to Kerstin, the summer and his work on the farm? His future?

6. The bonding with Kerstin, the dancing, her caution, growing exhilaration? The development of the relationship?

7. The background of the church, the minister and his severity, the young people, wanting to have a meeting, the drama group, the preparation of the play? Anders and his offering them the barn, the renovation, the meetings, enjoyment, preparation of the play? And the performance?

8. Kerstin, the possibility of her performance, her reaction, her parents and her disappearance?

9. Goran and Kerstin, the lyrical romance, the swimming, the nudity scene (and its being scandalous in some areas of the world in 1951)?

10. Goran and Kerstin, his decision to give up his career, at school, the lectures, his return?

11. The ride with Kerstin, the accident, her injuries and pain, his tending her, her death?

12. The return to the funeral sequence – and the repetition of the severity of the minister? The defiance of the uncle and his praise of the happiness of the young couple?

13. The impact of this kind of religiosity of the period, in Scandinavia, the changes in the latter part of the 20th century?