Conventions of civility among family members are severely strained by the very real breakup of the bonds between them. During a few days at a vacation home, Katha, a woman in late middle age, tries to cope with an influx of discontented, disconnected relatives. Her divorced daughter brings all sorts of people to the house, including a woman-friend accompanied by her psychotic son; the grandfather of the house is convinced he is dying and is satisfied by nothing; and some friends drop off their angry teenage son to stay with her, while they go on a long trip abroad. Her friend Emma doesn't help much with keeping a lid on things, as she is a social worker who is fascinated by the awfulness of these situations.
Acting
Marianne Aminoff's restrained suffering as matriarch Katha.
Direction
Lindblom's unflinching gaze at women's invisible work.
Director
Gunnel Lindblom
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
One of few Swedish films of the era directed by a woman, Lindblom previously acted for Bergman.
The 'psychotic son' character was controversial—some critics found him exploitative, others rawly honest about mental illness exclusion from family life.
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