Fäbodjäntan (1978) is a Swedish adult film directed and written by Joseph W. Sarno, credited as Lawrence Henning. This 1080p HD version has been newly restored in 4K from the surviving 35mm print. Country girl Monika has found an old Viking horn. When she blows it, women inexplicably become overwhelmed with desire. This causes trouble on the farm where she lives, particularly for a prudish visiting missionary couple. Everyone gets involved with everyone else. The film was shot in the idyllic Dalarna countryside in Skattungbyn.
What few Swedes know is that the film’s director, American Joseph W. Sarno (1921–2010), is recognized as one of the true geniuses of sexploitation cinema. He has been honored with retrospectives at the prestigious Cinémathèque Française in Paris, the British Film Institute, and the Torino Film Festival.
Sarno made more than 125 films, around fifteen of them in Sweden, beginning with his first Swedish production in 1967. Most were made before the advent of mainstream hardcore pornography. His black-and-white films from the 1960s earned him the nickname “The Ingmar Bergman of 42nd Street,” thanks to his lighting, long takes, and sometimes somber, angst-ridden themes. Sarno was particularly interested in portraying female sexuality. He and his wife, muse, and all-around collaborator Peggy became fond of Sweden, kept an apartment in Hägersten, and visited the country every summer.
Cast: Leena Hiltonen as Monika, credited as Leena; Anne as Maud, Britt’s mother; Tomas as Björn Johansson; Marie Bergman as Agneta Johansson, credited as Marie; Anita Berglund as Britt Kindberg, credited as Anita; Knud Jörgensen as Olle Hansson, credited as Knut; and Arne as Karl Holmgren, uncredited.
Fäbodjäntan (1978) 1080p HD Remastered
Year: 1978
Language: Swedish, English Audio Commentary with Wiktor Ericsson (Subtitles English, Swedish, French and German)
Duration: 01:53:25
Quality: 1080p
Publisher: Gebe Film, Joe Sarno Productions, Saga Film
