that easily. The Anderssons' farm is thrown in financial crisis, and Höglund's new chauffeur (Gösta Ekman) steals Sven's motorcycle and destroys it. Anna starts to scream at Sven, in her desperation blaming him for all that has happened. Sven angrily pushes her out of her wheelchair, but immediately regrets it. Furious at Höglund, and all the pain he has put Sven and his loved ones through, Sven takes the blade from Andersson's chaff cutter, and marches off to Höglund's factory, followed by the three angels singing Verdi's Requiem. Attacking Höglund, Sven steals the evil man's car, then picks up Anna on the run, taking her to the deserted house where the movie begins. It begins to dawn and police start to surround the building. The Anderssons beg for Sven's life. A couple of shots are heard, and the film ends with a picture of the sun rising over the southern Swedish landscape. Cast Stellan Skarsgård as Sven Maria Johansson as Anna Hans Alfredson as Höglund Per Myrberg as Andersson Lena-Pia Bernhardsson as Mrs. Andersson Nils Ahlroth as Månsson Lars Amble as Bengt Carl-Åke Eriksson as Wallin Cecilia Walton as Vera Wallis Grahn as Mrs. Höglund Else-Marie Brandt as Sven's mother Gösta Ekman as The new driver Carl Billquist as Flodin Lena Nyman as Woman without legs Björn Andrésen as Angel Awards and reception The film was loved by critics and viewers alike. It won the awards for Best Director (Hans Alfredsson), Best Film and Best Actor (Stellan) at the 18th Guldbagge Awards. Stellan also won the Silver Bear for Best Actor at the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival for his role as Sven. The well-known Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman also enjoyed the film. Calling it: "A deep indignation, turned into a powerful fairy-tale. Hasse Alfredssons resources seems unlimited and my admiration for his creativity and the wealth of his ideas are absolute". Production The story is based on a short chapter in Alfredson's book En ond man (An Evil Man). The chapter was called "Idiotens berättelse" ("The Idiot's Story") and was an inner monologue held by the then nameless narrator. Another inspiration for the movie came when Alfredson first heard Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi, a piece of music he found very powerful and knew he wanted to use in a movie. Alfredson has stated in an interview that the character of Sven is loosely based on a real person,