Back in 2023, my hometown of Norrköping became a national symbol of the neoliberal politicians’ war on culture. Cultural budgets were cut at a rapid pace, justified by claims that art was elitist and ultimately pointless. From this threatening standpoint, I wanted to make an inclusive and hopeful film within Norrköping’s (still) existing cultural infrastructure. The story of Alf and Anita unfolds as a modernised version of the original socialist dream, echoing the old Social Democratic slogan “Alla ska med” (“Everyone’s in”). In their world, people have souls that crave daily wonders. I cannot see why we would build a society so efficient if not to free up more time for creative and social activities. In my dictionary culture and civilization are synonyms. We made this film together with friends, inventing the scenario as we went along. I hope you will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.
Kim Ekberg
