Call girl

Sweden, 1970s. Two 14-year-old girls - Iris and Sonya run away from the orphanage. In the city, they enter the brothel of Madame Dagmar Glans whose clients are high-ranking Swedish politicians, judges, prosecutors, members of parliament and ambassadors of friendly states. The institution’s activities are under investigation by investigator John Sunberg; however, the investigation is hampered by his superiors. The police manage to cover the brothel, but Madame Dagmar Glans gets a suspended sentence. None of the brothel clients, despite the scandal, was held accountable for liaising with minors, since this fact cannot be proved - the investigator dies under strange circumstances and Iris cannot testify in court. Government scandal jammed and the case materials are classified. The film ends with the message that Iris escaped from the orphanage again and her fate is unknown.

• Sofia Karemur - Iris
• Josephine Asplund - Sonia
• Pernilla August - Dagmar Glans
• Simon Y. Berger - John Sandberg
• Ruf Fernandez - Nina
• Anders Beckman - Roy
• Sven Nordin - Glenn
• David Dentsik - Espin
• Hannah Ullerstam - Mona
• Sverrier Goodunson - Krister
• Kristoffer Yoner - Soren
• Outi Mäenpää - Sirya
• Lena Eriksson - Britt, a social worker
• Doug Malmberg - politician
• other

After the premiere of the film, there was a scandal when it was noticed that one of the characters who has sex with a minor prostitute recalls the appearance of Olof Palme , the Prime Minister of Sweden in 1969-1976. The Palme family protested, and although the filmmakers stated that this similarity was accidental, after the application to the prosecutor’s office between the Palme family and the film’s director, an agreement was reached that the so-called “hotel scene” would be cut from the film.

Despite the large amount of nudity and the random (unhappy) sex scene, the tone of the film is never sensational. Sustained (some say stale) sentiment persists, with behind-the-door bullying politicians who are seen on talk shows and in the election campaign, congratulating themselves on the enlightened government policies regarding the emancipation of women and developing sexual mores.

Original Text (Eng.)

Marcimain's tone is never sensationalistic. It is clear that there has been a rapport between the women and the politicians. .

- The Hollywood Reporter

It’s easy to see why the Call Girl caused so much controversy in her native Sweden. Corrupt politicians are a dime a dozen, sexual affection is common. But hey, even Bill Clinton did it illegally . The allegations that one of the main political figures in a respected country is guilty of rape - and all within the law, made even the most inveterate cynic to think. And the statement that he was covered by the prime minister added mockery to the abuse. The film revealed old wounds, despite the fact that it is a work of art. Although they do not recognize this, it seems that Sweden would like to forget this scandal. But not the director and his team. They want the public to be outraged, even if it happens while they are being entertained.

Original Text (Eng.)

It is easy to see why the girl is so much controversy in Sweden. Corrupt politicians are a par for the course. But hey, even Bill Clinton kept it street legal. Allegations that the country was guilty of statutory rape gave even the most jaded cynic pause. At the time of the resignation. The film's release opened old wounds, despite being a work of fiction. It never happened. But not Marcimain and his crew. They want to be outraged, even if it is while they are being entertained.

- Screen Anarchy

“The Girl on Call” is an anachronistic cinema, with a solid plot, requiring active work from the viewer, exhausting, but thereby bringing purification. Styling under the era is excellently heard by the sound of platforms on the pavement and the way the heroes smoke relish in the frame. Details like red marmalades on the table, fluently pronounced laws “for sex with persons up to 10 years old — no more than two years in prison,” red flaky nail polish on Iris's nails — are deposited in the backyards of consciousness ...

- Art Journal ABOUT

• In 2013, the film was nominated in 11 categories of the National Film Awards of Sweden, eventually received four Golden Beetles : for camera work, sound, costumes and design.
• The FIPRESCI Discovery Award at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival .
• Audience Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival

• Alissa Simon - Call Girl // Variety , 9/23/2012
• John DeFore - Call Girl: Toronto Review // The Hollywood Reporter , 11/09/2012
• Bordellhärvan som skakade Sverige // Aftonbladet
• Joshua Chaplinsky - Film Comment Selects 2013 Review: CALL GIRL Is Much More Than The Story Of A 14 Year Old Prostitute // Screen Anarchy , 6.5.2013
• Sasha Nikitina - Girl on call: the rules of the three "s" // Art journal OKKO, March 23, 2014