Today, most folks have never heard of Victor Sjöström. Perhaps this is not the case in his native Sweden, but here in the States, few would recognize his name today. It's a shame, really, as he was a huge star in the silent era--both as a director and actor--and occasionally as a writer. Today, you are most likely to see him, however, if you watch Ingmar Bergman's classic "Wild Strawberries" as he plays the aging professor in the leading role. Here in "Ingeborg Holm", he directs one of his earliest films.
The story begins with a man learning that the banks will loan him the money for his dream--to open his own grocery store. However, he soon dies and his wife, Ingeborg, tries to make a go of it but fails. The business is soon sold out from under her and she becomes quite ill. She is forced to go on public assistance and things look pretty bleak. The family is sent to live in a dormitory at the workhouse and the three children are placed in foster care. Can things get any worse (the answer is an emphatic YES)? Is there any hope for our heroine and her children? Tune in and see for yourself.
This film is a very effective criticism of the Swedish welfare system of the time. The system is often unfeeling and uncaring and the film convinces the viewer of this through Ingeborg's sad story. It also helps that Hilda Borgström is able to show so much exhaustion and sadness in the title role. Overall, an unpleasant film in some ways, but also an extremely well-constructed one that is quite touching. And, a film with a theme that still resonates today--almost 100 year later.
By the way, the first 90% of the film is in amazingly good condition. Unfortunately, the finale is a bit rough--but it's still watchable.
The story begins with a man learning that the banks will loan him the money for his dream--to open his own grocery store. However, he soon dies and his wife, Ingeborg, tries to make a go of it but fails. The business is soon sold out from under her and she becomes quite ill. She is forced to go on public assistance and things look pretty bleak. The family is sent to live in a dormitory at the workhouse and the three children are placed in foster care. Can things get any worse (the answer is an emphatic YES)? Is there any hope for our heroine and her children? Tune in and see for yourself.
This film is a very effective criticism of the Swedish welfare system of the time. The system is often unfeeling and uncaring and the film convinces the viewer of this through Ingeborg's sad story. It also helps that Hilda Borgström is able to show so much exhaustion and sadness in the title role. Overall, an unpleasant film in some ways, but also an extremely well-constructed one that is quite touching. And, a film with a theme that still resonates today--almost 100 year later.
By the way, the first 90% of the film is in amazingly good condition. Unfortunately, the finale is a bit rough--but it's still watchable.