Dom över död man

Sweden

Synopsis

Torgny Segerstedt is the editor-in-chief of the “Göteborgs Handels och Sjöfartstidning” newspaper from 1933 to 1945. He challenges the leaders of the Third Reich with his controversial articles, some of which are translated and broadcast on British radio the same day they are published. In Norway he is regarded as a hero. But the Swedish king and the government fear the repercussions. Sweden is neutral and they are prepared to go to any lengths to keep the country out of the war. He has a turbulent love life. He's constantly conflicted, hopelessly entangled in a complex and tumultuously passionate love affair with three different women. In the end, he is forced to accept the political and personal consequences of his actions. When the Third Reich falls, he realises that his brave and chaotic life has lost its meaning, and that only death remains. That man's name is Torgny Segerstedt.

Director's Statement

I have wanted to make another film in black and white for many years and would have preferred at least four of my previous films to have been so, but it was said to be impossible for commercial and thereby financial reasons. But this time I had the fortune to work with a producer who was open to the possibility and since new digital cameras offer the choice to make a film in both colour as well as black and white I decided to shoot it in colour and then make my decision which came to favour black and white, after making careful comparisons in post-production during the editing and colouring. I find that colours often can distract the eye from seeing the whole picture, the real story. Black and white tends to focus our attention on the drama, on the actions, the expressions. It is wrongfully accused of being old, when in fact it is just another "effect" added to tell the story in a certain way. It was also especially motivated in this film, where we have added documentary footage from World War II, which is black and white and so it blends in better and becomes a more natural part of the rest of the film.
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Jan Troell

Written by: Jan Troell, Klaus Rifbjerg

Produced by: Francy Suntinger

Cinematography: Mischa Gavrjusjov, Jan Troell

Editing: Ulrika Rang, Jan Troell

Production Design: Peter Bävman

Costume Design: Katja Watkins

Original Score: Gaute Storaas

Sound: Olle Tannergård

Cast: Jesper Christensen, Pernilla August, Ulla Skoog, Björn Granath

Nominations and Awards

  • Feature Film Selection 2013