The Freethinker

The film portrays the Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter August Strindberg's life 1849-1912. Through his extensive correspondence and literary production, from the supposed first work, the drama "The Free Thinker" (1869), to the posthumously published "The Occult Diary" (published 1977 ). But also his three wives, Siri von Essen, Frida Uhl and Harriet Bosse, and the children Karin, Greta and Hans are given space in the film. The unpublished first drama "The Free Thinker", depicts a young man forced to break with family and tradition to follow his conscience and ideals, becomes a prophecy about the author's own life.

Directed by Ria Busch, Fredrik Heurlin, Stefan Norlin, Thérèse Ferry, Ziskas Szemes, Åsa Wendel, Göran Bäuerle, Mats Gustavsson, Niklas Westergren, Ann Duroj, Jan-Anders Hansson, Charlie Kristiansson, Robert Stengård, Pauli Saastamoinen, Saman Ali, Hedvig Blidberg, Maryn Eales, Annika Hallström, Helen Walhgren, Eva Bowden, Peter Lindnér, Åsa Hoflin, Daniel Strömberg, Peter Watkins, The Freethinker leans on a strong ensemble — Anders Mattsson, Lena Settervall, Roland Borgström — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about history titles of 1994.