Criterion Collection Release: Bo Widerberg’s New Swedish Cinema Collector’s Set

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The Criterion Collection is dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world. And on August 22, 2023, several works of auteur Bo Widerberg join the collection in a glorious new boxset.

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Order the newly released Boxset here: Bo Widerberg’s New Swedish Cinema Collectors Set

Bo Widerberg’s New Swedish Cinema Collector’s Set

Bo Widerberg is a Swedish filmmaker and actor responsible for a slew of important works spanning four decades. This August, the Criterion Collection has gathered four of his earliest and most impactful films into one beautifully boxed collection for your at home, viewing pleasure. The four disc set includes The Baby Carriage (1963), Raven’s End (1963), Elvira Madigan (1967) and Ådalen 31 (1969).

Bo Widerberg's New Swedish Cinema Collector's Set
The Baby Carriage

Also Read: Criterion Collection Dreams (4K) Review  

The Four Films

The Baby Carriage: 

The filmmaker’s feature directorial debut follows a young female factory worker (Inger Taube). Caught up in a love triangle, she works to balance the two very different relationships while navigating an unexpected pregnancy.

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Raven’s End:

Widerberg followed up The Baby Carriage with a sophomore feature titles Raven’s End. Named for the district the film is set, the story unfolds in 1936 and follows a young aspiring writer named Anders. However, the dark and troublesome reality of the world that surrounds him threatens to break the young man’s spirit.

Elvira Madigan:

Telling the story of real life circus performer Elvira Madigan (Pia Degermark) and her romantic relationship with a nobleman and lieutenant, Evira Madigan is a beautiful depiction of the difficulties and dangers that come along with love and lust.

Ådalen 31:

Widerberg once again looks to real life events as the source of his art with Ådalen 31. Using the emotionally charged backdrop of a 1931 labor strike, the filmmaker tells a coming of age story following the teenaged Kjell (Peter Schildt). The typical challenges that accompany this difficult time in a young boy’s life are compounded by the violence that surrounds him.

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Bo Widerberg's New Swedish Cinema Collector's Set
Ådalen 31

Also Read: Criterion Collection: The Watermelon Woman Review

Bo Widerberg’s New Swedish Cinema Collector’s Set releases on August 22, 2023. Will you be adding the boxset, with the spine number #1189, to your growing collection?

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Written by Joshua Ryan

Articles Published: 232

Joshua Ryan is the Creative Coordinator and Head Film & TV Critic for FandomWire. He's a member of the Critics Choice Association and spokesperson for the Critics Association of Central Florida. Joshua is also one of the hosts of the podcast, The Movie Divide.