2012 marks the anniversary of famous playwright/author August Strindberg who wrote several world renowned books and plays.
To celebrate this anniversary SVT(Swedish public service TV)has decided to show several TV-productions, documentaries and other Strindberg related programs on Swedish TV.
So for some unknown reasons SVT decided to give director Fia-Stina Sandlund , a newcomer, free hands to show two films in connection to this anniversary.
The other film being She's Blonde Like Me (2011), a another flawed production where actress Alexandra Dahlström portrays Miss Julie in person answering questions from an audience.
Both these film stand out but not in a good way, because they are both very flawed, unfocused and downright boring productions. Sandlund is a débutant director and as such, show to have very little or no previous experience in creating film on screen.
This film however, has a little better narrative structure then her other film She's Blonde Like Me (2011). It is easier to follow this film as well, because Sandlund doesn't seem so preoccupied with trying to create some kind of art film.
Here we get follow the behind the production of Strindbergs stageplay, Miss Julie using only female actors. It is interesting, bold move from director Sandlund but unfortunately the result is ranging from mediocre to downright bad.
Technically the film is very flawed, sloppy editing, etc but also again Sandlunds inexperience shines through. Sandlund seems to be more interested in actress Alexandra Dahlströms private life, that by co incidence is reflecting some of the plays themes.
The end result feels more like a badly made episode of a reality show then an serious documentary. I feel mainly sorry for the other cast members Elizabeth Whitney, Lea Robinson that seem to be wasting their time with this project.
Director Fia-Stina Sandlund and her fans might argue that this is art therefore should be judge by other types of standards. Perhaps so, but I rather go watch Len Lyes experimental shorts, Maya Derens films, then see Sandlunds two feature films again.
