The Slingshot (1993)
"Kådisbellan" (original title)

Stocholm in the 1920s. Young Roland lives with his socialist father, Jewish mother and a boxing brother. His mother sells condoms illegally, and from them, Roland makes slingshots which he ... See full summary »

Director:

Åke Sandgren

Writers:

Åke Sandgren, Roland Schütt (book)

Stars:

Jesper Salén, Stellan Skarsgård, Basia Frydman

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jesper Salén	...	Roland Schütt
Stellan Skarsgård	...	Fritiof Schütt
Basia Frydman	...	Zipa Schütt
Niklas Olund	...	Bertil Schütt
Ernst-Hugo Järegård	...	Teacher Lundin
Ernst Günther	...	Principal
Axel Düberg	...	Inspector Gissle
Reine Brynolfsson	...	Hinke Berggren
Heinz Hopf	...	Shoe salesman
Frida Hallgren	...	Margit
Tomas Norström	...	Boxing Trainer
Ing-Marie Carlsson	...	Karin Adamsson
Rolf Lassgård	...	Prisoner
Jurek Sawka	...	Kopowski the Orthopaedist
Tommy Johnson	...	Blacksmith

Storyline

Stocholm in the 1920s. Young Roland lives with his socialist father, Jewish mother and a boxing brother. His mother sells condoms illegally, and from them, Roland makes slingshots which he sells. His rebellious ways has gotten him the special attention of his school teacher, who always makes sure that Roland is punished. Roland also tries to make extra money by repairing bicycles, a successful business that in the end lands him in hot water.

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Plot Keywords:

1920s | condom | jewish | socialist | boxing | 

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Taglines:

If growing up were easy, everybody would do it.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Country:

Denmark Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

3 June 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Slingshot

Filming Locations:

Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Gross:

$309,117 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nordisk Film, SVT Drama, Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Sweden's 1993 submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award, though it failed to secure a nomination.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Kådisbellan (1995)

User Reviews

Visit Sweden - don't worry about the weather!

Kadisbellan(The Slingshot)is perhaps the best foreign film of 1993. Great story, acting, and many funny moments.

Slingshot is the touching, humorous tale of a Swedish boy in the 20's, from a socialist, jewish family, and his resolve against life's persecutions.

His persecutions include a sadistic, fascist school instructor, overbearing parents, a bully brother, the police, and the daily maturation of a boy to a young man.

How Roland handles and endures these problems is the heart of the film. His solutions are clever and sometimes humorous, but all based out of Roland's steadfast self awareness. We have all walked along the same path.

The cast is super, and each character is extremely real.

Outstanding kudos to Jespar Salen, who plays Roland. His acting and the faces he utilizes make the viewer actually feel his hurts, his inquisitiveness, and his triumphs.

A special role also played by Stellen Sarsgard, as Roland's socialist father, who pontificates daily to any in hearing range. Memorable is his visit to a Russian orthopedic specialist to end his sciatica.

There are many characters and side plots, most end as ours would, but Roland's experience with a young prostitute ends tragically.

The Slingshot gets its title from Roland's ingenuity. His mother sells forbidden condoms, and Roland absconds with some and fashions slingshots out of them for sale to classmates. The slingshot is just one of his many inventions.

Another enjoyable benefit is the quality of the film as a period piece.