Gunnar Karlsson
Sjón
Photo:Johannes Jansson / norden.org
On the DVD is a commentary from the director Gunnar Karlsson and the author Sjón where they watch the film and discuss it. Here is an excerpt from the commentary.
Gunnar: So this scene is a metaphor for the rapture of innocence and happiness.
Sjón: When kids are pulled out of the world of youth.
Sjón: ... and now, the mystery man,
Sjón: ... who came as a real surprise to me. I had no idea that this character had been animated.
Gunnar: Yes, some say he looks like you.
Sjón: Yes.
Gunnar: And here we are on a ride through the Art History from the beginning of the last century and these images reminds you of Miro, Chirico and more.
Sjón: ... and naturally the beginning of the scream - the Scream by Munch.
Gunnar: Yes, these are the hormones that force Anna out of her childhood world. This is a short ride through the art history - I deliberately selected these painters because I found that this art, from the turn of the last century, connected with the teenage period - this surrealism ...
Gunnar: ... there is something of a teenage mentality here.
Sjón: Here is Dali ...
Gunnar: and there is Magritte ...
Sjón: ... that sort of floats around. It's clear to me that surrealism is the best art-form young people could indulge themselves in...
Gunnar: Yes.
Sjón: ... and somehow related to the period of puberty, when the emotions go wild.