clanciai Review of Kvinnor i fångenskap

Kvinnor i fångenskap (1943)

Women lost in seduction and crime, with a way back for some

[9/10 · 1 March 2021]

The script is by one of the most skilful and prolific Swedish writers at the time, Sven Stolpe, and the story reveals a profound understanding, knowledge and compassion with women who get lost in life. The women prison scenes, which don't turn up until in the later part of the film, are almost documentary in uncompromising realism, and for being a Swedish film of 1943 it is way ahead of its time almost displaying something like Italian neo-realism. The actors are outstanding, and the priest's part, Gunnar Sjögren, is an impressing study in civil courage. Among the female actors Gun Wållgren is dominating and as splendid in a wicked part as ever, while Elsie Albiin as the victim is a delicate and sensitive impersonation of a girl who cannot be held responsible for what she is exposed to and whose only refuge is into tears. The music is by Lars-Erik Larsson, perhaps the most eminent Swedish composer at the time, the direction by Olof Molander is serious and restrained, like all his films with psychological insight and feeling for his subject, and there are also great cinematographic moments, especially in the Bergman-like play with shadows.