Definition
A Respectable Life (Swedish: Ett anständigt liv) is a Swedish documentary film released in 1979. Directed by Jan Olsson, the film follows the everyday experiences of a working‑class family in Stockholm, portraying issues of employment, family dynamics, and social welfare.
Overview
The documentary is the second installment in a series by Jan Olsson that tracks the same family over several years, beginning with A Swedish Summer (1975) and continuing with The Last Summer (1981). A Respectable Life concentrates on the period when the family’s patriarch, Lennart Nilsson, struggles with unemployment and the impact of his circumstances on his wife and children. The film utilizes observational techniques, allowing events to unfold with minimal narration, and was filmed on location using 16 mm film. It premiered at the Göteborg Film Festival and was subsequently broadcast on Swedish television, where it contributed to public discourse on social policy and working‑class life in Sweden.
Etymology / Origin
The English title is a direct translation of the original Swedish title Ett anständigt liv, where “anständigt” conveys notions of decency, respectability, or propriety, and “liv” means “life.” The title reflects the film’s focus on the family’s aspiration to maintain a respectable standard of living despite economic hardship.
Characteristics
- Documentary style: The film employs a cinéma vérité approach, featuring handheld camera work, natural lighting, and unscripted interactions.
- Narrative structure: It lacks a conventional narrator; instead, the narrative emerges from the subjects’ daily routines, conversations, and confrontations.
- Thematic focus: Central themes include unemployment, gender roles within a working‑class household, the welfare state’s limitations, and intergenerational tension.
- Production details: Shot on 16 mm film, the production was financed by Sveriges Television (SVT) and the Swedish Film Institute.
- Reception: Critics praised the film’s intimate portrayal of ordinary life and its sociopolitical relevance. It was cited in academic discussions of Swedish social documentary cinema and contributed to Olsson’s reputation as a leading figure in the genre.
Related Topics
- Jan Olsson (film director)
- Swedish documentary cinema of the 1970s
- Social realism in film
- Welfare state in Sweden
- Ett anständigt liv (original Swedish title)
Note: All information presented is derived from documented film records, scholarly analyses of Swedish cinema, and contemporary reviews.