This anecdotal look at Swedes’ love of independence, and some of its less attractive consequences, never really coheres as a documentary
Film-maker Erik Gandini’s (Gitmo, Videocracy) latest docu-essay looks at Swedes’ obsession with independence and self-sufficiency and how this ideal, coupled with a welfare state that provides for every physical need, produces loneliness and alienation. Using an infographic plotted by social historian Lars Trägårdh that posits Sweden as the most secular and individualistic of societies, Gandini segues from theory to practice with a disjointed series of anecdotes. We meet sperm-bank donors and clients, state investigators trying to find the next of kin of old people who died alone and a suicide who wasn’t found for years because all his standing orders were paid automatically. By way of contrast, here are some nice Syrian refugees learning that, to make friends with Swedes, they must be on time, and there...
Film-maker Erik Gandini’s (Gitmo, Videocracy) latest docu-essay looks at Swedes’ obsession with independence and self-sufficiency and how this ideal, coupled with a welfare state that provides for every physical need, produces loneliness and alienation. Using an infographic plotted by social historian Lars Trägårdh that posits Sweden as the most secular and individualistic of societies, Gandini segues from theory to practice with a disjointed series of anecdotes. We meet sperm-bank donors and clients, state investigators trying to find the next of kin of old people who died alone and a suicide who wasn’t found for years because all his standing orders were paid automatically. By way of contrast, here are some nice Syrian refugees learning that, to make friends with Swedes, they must be on time, and there...
- 6/23/2016
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
Lorber Films, the theatrical releasing arm of the newly formed Kino Lorber, has picked up U.S. rights to "Videocracy," an expose of the high-glitz, low-politics media culture epitomized by Italian Prime Minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi.
The deal was negotiated by Susan Wendt, head of sales at TrustNordisk Films, with Richard Lorber, co-president of Kino Lorber. No financial details were made available.
Swedish-Italian director Erik Gandini, whose credits include "Gitmo: The New Rules of War," helmed the doc feature.
Lorber called the pic "more fantastical than any fiction film I've seen in a long while. As a saga of greed, decadence and privilege that's transforming a democracy into a media circus, it's both a cautionary tale and outrageous cinema entertainment."
The film was released theatrically in Italy on 90 prints by Fandango and grossed about $1.2 million. The DVD is now out, with distribution in bookstores and on newsstands.
The deal was negotiated by Susan Wendt, head of sales at TrustNordisk Films, with Richard Lorber, co-president of Kino Lorber. No financial details were made available.
Swedish-Italian director Erik Gandini, whose credits include "Gitmo: The New Rules of War," helmed the doc feature.
Lorber called the pic "more fantastical than any fiction film I've seen in a long while. As a saga of greed, decadence and privilege that's transforming a democracy into a media circus, it's both a cautionary tale and outrageous cinema entertainment."
The film was released theatrically in Italy on 90 prints by Fandango and grossed about $1.2 million. The DVD is now out, with distribution in bookstores and on newsstands.
- 12/21/2009
- by By Elizabeth Guider
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- Imagine if Ted Turner or Rupert Murdoch had become president of the United States and they had an interest in putting bikini clad women on the airwaves. I think you could argue that this is the path that media mogul, and Italy's president Silvio Berlusconi choose, and I guess becomes the focal point for Erik Gandini's Videocracy. The documentary film has the disinction of being selected for both the Venice and Tiff fests this coming August/September. Gandini's last docu was Gitmo, an incendiary look at those who did the torturing in Guantanamo. I imagine Gandini will serve up a dish that might make a couple of people blush in shades of red. ...
- 8/3/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
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