The Swedish Theory of Love (2015)

Directed by: Erik Gandini | 76 minutes | documentary

A society of individuals. That is the term used in the documentary ‘The Swedish Theory of Love’ to describe Swedish society. It is also this paradox that is proven time and again.

The term “the Swedish theory of love” stems from a 1970s movement that aimed to make the people of Sweden completely independent from each other. The idea was that if you didn’t have to depend on anyone else, that would lead to the ultimate form of existence. Because what more could one want than total self-reliance? The makers of this documentary have taken this question as their starting point. This leads to a film that first wants to tell the viewer what the effects of this approach are for today’s society, and then convince the viewer that the consequences should not be desirable.

The beginning, so to speak, focuses on sketching the situation. The makers do this by showing extremes, which are presented as almost daily business. This produces fascinating images. For example, the impersonality of society is shown on the basis of a process in which you as a Swedish woman can order sperm via the internet, which is delivered in ice, and where the intention is to inseminate yourself within 20 minutes of opening. Preferably followed by an orgasm because that increases the chance of conception, but that aside. It is an ultimate example of an impersonal individualistic society, shown by literally showing conception (in this case the depositing of semen in a jar), through processing and home delivery to manual insemination.

Showing extremes also serves the purpose when it comes to providing criticism. It starts with seeing a small group of hippies who have withdrawn to the forest to enjoy each other and then goes to Africa to show the contrast with the Western achievements. Again with the help of fascinating scenes. And yet this is also the part where ‘The Swedish Theory of Love’ loses focus. The doctor from Africa gets so disproportionate attention that it sometimes seems as if he has become the subject of the film. That’s a shame because until then the documentary held up just fine as a socially critical manifesto. The balance is not restored after that and that makes ‘The Swedish Theory of Love’ a film that could have been more to the point. That does not alter the fact that this Swedish introspection produces fascinating scenes and a good analysis.