Pojken i trädet

Considering what the national Swedish Film Industry usually produced in the 1960s and 70s, "The Boy in the Tree" must have been a pretty daring production. In the movie, a teenage boy sets off on a nocturnal hunt with two older companions. In a stolen car, they drive out into the forest to shoot deer and other small game, which they intend to sell to shops and restaurants around Stockholm. What the boys don't know is that the landowner has hired a ruthless forest ranger who is prepared to use any means to stop the poachers. So, the stage is set for an ugly, violent night in the woods.

"The Boy in the Tree" was made by Arne Sucksdorff, a young Swedish director and documentary maker. Best known for his lyrical depictions of nature, he became the first of his countrymen to win an Oscar at the Academy Awards in Hollywood.

Sucksdorff, however, had higher ambitions than that. In 1961 he wrote and directed "The Boy in the Tree". The movie was about a teenager's revolt against the adult world. It was shot in the woods a few miles north of Stockholm, on a large estate Sucksdorff had rented especially for its beautiful, almost "cinematic" scenery.

Unfortunately, Sucksdorff was more skilled as a chronicler of nature than as a playwright. He never managed to tell a story that interested a large cinema audience. So, after the film became a failure at the box office, Sucksdorff realized that his career in Sweden was pretty much over. Disappointed and destitute, he emigrated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he stayed for over 20 years.

But then something unexpected happened. Arne Sucksdorff managed to rustle up enough money to make another film during his time in exile. And "My Home is Copacabana" became a far bigger success than any of his earlier movies. Show business is strange.

The German distribution title "Der Wilderer vom Teufelsmoor" (The Poacher of Devil's Moor) immediately suggests a home-grown film. But in reality, "Pöjken I Tradet," which should actually be translated as "The Boy in the Tree," is a very special film by Swedish director Arne Sucksdorff (1917-2001). In 1962, the film was nominated for the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in Czechia.

With beautiful nature shots (cinematography by Gunnar Fischer) that almost seem documentary, the story of young Göte (Tomas Bolme), who doesn't get along with his parents at all and spends almost all his time outdoors, is told. Only his sister (Birgitta Pettersson) has some understanding for her brother, but she's also no match for their arguments. Although Göte has a close connection to the animal world, he joins forces with two teenage poachers (Heinz Hopf and Björn Gustafson). The situation escalates as a gamekeeper (Åke LINDMAN) gets closer and closer to the trio.

Such an astonishing and unusual film can be found in the vastness of Netflix's offerings. The real protagonist is the vast Swedish landscape, which uniquely underlines the exciting story of a nature-loving rebel.

The two poachers are portrayed by two actors who are also known from other films. Björn Gustafson played the farmhand Alfred in the films about Emil from Lönneberga. Heinz Hopf (1934-2001) played a small role in Ingmar Bergman's FANNY OCH ALEXANDER (1983). He also appeared in the infamous Swedish rape-and-revenge thriller THRILLER: EN GRYM FILM (1973).