A Study in Abuse | first reaction to FANNY AND ALEXANDER (3 of 4)

Ingmar Bergman plumbs the depths of his childhood to tell the tale of a family in Uppsala. In episode 3 ("Events of Summer"), the friction between Alexander and Bishop Edvard has escalated to the point of no return. Edvard, incensed by Alexander's childish lies and unchecked imagination, decides the best course of action to quell the boy's daydreaming is to beat it out of him. Emilie, finally realizing the error of her ways, goes to Helena to seek counsel. She has asked Edvard for a divorce, but as he is a prominent and powerful clergyman in the town, she will lose guardianship over the children should they go to court. And Alexander keeps seeing these ghosts who tell him dark stories of drowning in the river...
Made in 1982, Fanny and Alexander was the culmination of director Ingmar Bergman's 40 year career. It was released as a four-part series, as well as an abridged theatrical cut. The film garnered Bergman 4 Academy Awards (tied for the most ever for a foreign film), and won him his third award for Best Foreign Language Film. The four-part series, in its entirety, is considered one of the longest theatrical films ever (but so is Digimon Adventures tri., so don't get too excited).
(As explained in part 1, I mispronounce the "Ekdahl" family name throughout this. entire. series.)
Intro: • Succession - Main Them...
Outro: • Concerto in G minor, O...
(Please note these are impressions from first time viewings, unless otherwise stated. If my points come across ill-constructed, inane, or otherwise unconvincing, muh bad bruh.)

[@Trillianmp3]

I’ve just found your channel and now I’m watching every video, you’re so entertaining!! Keep it up :) 💖

[@pillboxmovies]

Thanks so much!!

[@redcardinalist]

I love the Woman in Black as well. Very underated imo. Your commentary on the abuse by the Bishop is spot on. There's a lot of touching (presented as "kindly") along with a lot of "I'm only doing this for your own good" type of thing. In reality, the bishop as the adult is in complete control. Neither Alexander nor Fanny can resist in any realistic way other than morally (as they do here). It's all about control and dominance by the Bishop. Before Fanny and Alexander entered his household he was (presumably) in full control? Now he believes Alexander as a direct threat to his dominance. Like you I wince everytime the Bishop touches Alexander in that, all so "friendly" way Good on Fanny for loyally supporting her brother. Alexander is beaten (I won't use the word "spank"). Potentially Fanny might have been beaten as well so it's brave and good of her.

[@pillboxmovies]

It's really abhorrent to watch the control and abuse adults can exert on children. Watching Alexander defy him almost became a spiritual experience for me 😧

[@kikii1]

The Bishop...Jan Malmsjö is still alive in 2022! 90 years old. Boys still queuing up for a spanking 40 years later.

[@abinashmishra329]

😂

[@francisdec1615]

Late comment: in Swedish folklore ghosts are usually evil. I think that's why the ghosts of the girls are tormenting Alexander. Or maybe it could be like in The Shining, when Grady's daughters are scaring the shit out of Danny; the whole house is kind of an evil entity.

[@Quirderph]

I really enjoyed seeing your reaction and hearing your thoughts about the miniseries. Sadly, I can't watch the rest, as your other Fanny & Alexander videos have been blocked in Sweden (and seemingly *only* in Sweden) for copyright reasons.

[@pillboxmovies]

I know, I'm upset about it, too. I'll see what I can do, but for now, that restriction is kept in place.

[@Quirderph]

@@pillboxmovies Maybe a Google Drive link?

[@magnustrygg5632]

Hello man! Did KZbin scrap part 2 and 4?

[@pillboxmovies]

They're currently blocked in Sweden. I've been trying to get the claim removed but it's a long process, apologies!

[@magnustrygg5632]

@@pillboxmovies Ok. No worries. KZbin is too often ridiculous. Thank you for the reaction. I really appreciate it.

[@abinashmishra329]

22:32 it's the royal "we"