Ådalen 31

Dramatized story about strikers, black-foots, saw-mill-owners and the military in a small Swedish town in 1931. The military was sent in to stop the strikers that were marching towards one of the mills. Due to inexperience and nervousness in the commanding officer, the order to fire was given and five people were killed. From then on Swedish military has been forbidden to act against civilians, until this summer, when a new law was passed in Swedish parliament. This law permits the police to ask the military for help in terror-like situations, with commanding chief of police as supreme commander. The film is a fairly true revue of what happened that day in 1931.

Ådalen 31, Cannes Grand Prix-winner and Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film, is based on a true story, and features the obligatory closing titles that have become way too cliche in today's Hollywood "based on an inspiring true story, give me my Oscars now" line. But Ådalen 31 is a more artistic film than those. Based on an incident in which five strikers were shot and killed, the film is lyrical and a visually beautiful film, definitely rising above TV movie-level.

While the slow pace, aside from some heated argument scenes, generally works in its favour, at times the film does become dull. It's not the most powerful pro-labour statement I've seen, though according to the closing titles this event catapulted the Social Democrats to political dominance. (See I Am Curious Yellow for how that turned out by the late 1960s- not perfect, but by no means the miserable communist dictatorship alt-righters, Fox News hacks and Republican buffoons paint the Nordic countries as).

Now this is something you don't see every day! Bo Widerbergs style makes this movie almost documentary in a way. That suits this movie since it's based on a true event.

The story is about a small town where the workers go out on strike. The conflict between workers and the factory owners and even between the workers themselves. Seems very simple but oh so good! Very good characters and dialogue! See it if you have the chance!

9/10 Movie-Man