The Ox (film)

The Ox (Swedish: Oxen) is a 1991 Swedish historical drama film directed by Sven Nykvist. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The film is set in 19th-century rural Sweden, during a time of great poverty and hardship. It tells the story of Helge Roos, a poor farmer struggling to feed his family during a harsh winter. Desperate, he slaughters and eats an ox belonging to a wealthy landowner, believing it to be ownerless and wild. The landowner discovers the theft, and Helge is arrested. The film explores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Helge, the consequences of his actions, and the societal injustices that contributed to his situation. It examines themes of poverty, desperation, justice, and redemption. The film is notable for its stark and realistic portrayal of rural life and its somber tone.