Swoon (Swedish title Eld & Lågor, which translates to ‘Fire and flames’) is a fantastically colourful and light-hearted wartime romance. Set in the continuing inter-family rivalry between two Stockholm amusement parks, two youngsters Ninni and John fall in forbidden love.
The premise is somewhat similar to Romeo and Juliet, with the warring of two opposing families challenged by the romance between their heirs. But, Swoon easily holds its own amidst the wider context of Sweden in 1940.
This film belongs almost in the fantasy genre, as it gives off a Moulin Rouge vibe in some of the fairy tale elements like butter- and dragon-flies appearing out of nowhere, Ninni’s exuberantly colourful dress shedding flowers as she cries, and a number of continuity errors.
A stirring and excitable score enhances the fantasy-nature, and various silly and spontaneous events culminate to make Swoon a film that demands you suspend disbelief and allow yourself to be washed over with its fable style. I found the fairy-tale/fantasy lens was overdone and the sheer cliché overwhelming, but my Mum absolutely loved it!
Swoon
Scandinavian Film Festival