1960s films show
history of 'obscene'
Vilgot Sjoman's ‘Curious’
films explore sexuality,
gender and activism
By Aaron Shakra
Pulse Editor
Some forms of "obscenity" are tak
en for granted these days in America.
Consider violent imagery — it is so
prevalent that audiences have become
desensitized to its power. But still the
greatest controversy over obscenity in
the media exists when it comes to
portrayal of the naked human form,
and just what exactly can and cannot
be shown.
Consider
the obvi
ously iron
ic "cover
ing" of the
Spirit of
Justice stat
ue, which has one breast exposed. The
verdict is out as to whether Attorney
General John Ashcroft — who has
publicly spoken in front of the statue
numerous times — made the request
himself; the only reasoning given to
the press was that it was done for "aes
thetic" reasons.
This incident is, of course, only a
distant second to another recent
breast controversy in America that
need not be mentioned.
Although mainstream offerings
may disguise this fact today, film has
long been a battleground for debate
over standards of what can and can't
be shown of the body. In 1967,
Swedish writer/director Vilgot Sjo
man's film "Jag ar nyfiken - en film i
gult," or "I Am Curious (Yellow)" was
one historical example of "obscenity."
Sjoman was given complete free
dom by his studio to make the film.
The studio essentially gave him a
budget and reels of black and white
film to shoot with — there were no
other limitations. "I Am Curious" had
no script, and the final product only
loosely resembles a plot.
Instead, the film focuses on 20-year
old Lena Nyman, whose curiosity is
centered around her relationship with
men (and later, women), self-explo
ration, acceptance and political ac
tivism. A mantra of "Non-cooperation,
non-violence, sabotage, non-violent de
fense and civil disobedience" is repeat
ed throughout the film.
The lines between reality and film
are blurred indistinguishably. "Curi
ous" is a film that is self-aware —
quite ffequendy, the audience is made
aware a film is being made. The film
opens with Lena and the director
(played by himself) "casting" the role
of Magnus, with whom Lena wants to
have a love scene. This, of course, re
veals events that will later unfold.
While this might seem like a gim
mick, especially considering pop or
postmodern cinema in the 1990s, the
telescoping reality of "Curious" is quite
effective. When the film begins to take
itself too seriously, it suddenly stops to
reveal Sjoman and crew behind the
FORGOTTEN
FILIVIS
scenes, making the moments.
Early in the film, Lena, on an as
signment from Sjoman, asks Swedish
citizens: "Does Sweden have a class
system?" The answers vary from in
sightful to disinterested to "Undress
them and the/re all alike. Dress them,
and you have a class system." Swedish
politicians discuss class issues, and the
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. discusses
nonviolence — although whether his
appearance was culled from stock
footage or shot specifically for this
film is unclear.
"I Am Curious" is especially candid
in its portrayal of sex, and Lena's per
spective is not understated. In her
room she has a filing cabinet labeled
"M" for men, and she tells her
boyfriend Borje that she has slept with
23 men — adding that the first 19
were uninteresting. Lena is sexually
promiscuous, but so is Borje, who is
linked to two other women through
out the course of the film.
If it only featured discussion about
sex, the film perhaps would have not
been so controversial. It was not al
lowed to be shown in the United
States, however, and was seized by cus
toms. American producer Barney Ros
set used it to fight obscenity laws in the
courts. Three parts of the film were es
pecially scrutinized: The extensive male
(in addition to female) frill-frontal nu
dity, a scene in which Lena shoots a
gun at her boyfriend, Borje, and anoth
er in which she caresses his penis.
By jury, "Curious" was determined
obscene. However, the ruling was ap
pealed and the film was eventually al
lowed to be shown. More information
about the case is available in Edward
Degrazia's book "Banned Films."
Whether this is a film about
women's rights is questionable. If
Lena were only promiscuous, the an
swer would be a clear "no," however
she is more than a one-dimensional
character. It would be more accurate
to say that she is promiscuous about
everything she confronts in her life. It
would also be more accurate to say
that the film is about equal rights for
everyone, everywhere, and through
the lens of the lead character, these
aims are often radical. Toward the end
of the film, she posts a sign reading
"Message to humanity: Down with all
privileged classes of the world."
Shooting for "I Am Curious"
commenced in the summer of 1966,
but by the time Sjoman had finished
editing, he wasn't happy with the re
sult. He went back and asked his stu
dio for more money and film, which
his studio again granted. The final
result was two films, or more accu
rately, two versions of the same film.
The "blue" version builds upon the
loose narrative and political themes
of "yellow" and explores religion
and homosexuality.
"I Am Curious (Yellow)" and "I Am
Curious (Blue)" are both available on
DVD at Flicks & Pics, located at 2777
Friendly St.
Contact the Pulse editor
at aaronshakra@dailyemerald.com.
Emerald
Swedish writer/director Vilgot Sjoman’s “I Am Curious (Blue)" and “I Am Curious (Yellow)”
can be rented at Flicks & Pics, located at 2777 Friendly St.
V'»IC4
S98910
mm i'mioni
199 E. 5th Ave • (541) 484-1334
Come see our sushi-go-round
and open grill
SushiStartiiigatML75
We serve
tempura
udon
yakisoba
teppanyaki
teriyaki
lunch box
and more..
Take out available
■ffiwiiaajigngr
«c
Catch up. Speed up. Jump ahead
Undergrads, Grad Students, Professionals...
Speed up your education. Catch a quick seminar or take a course during our three, four,
or eight week sessions. Or take courses the entire summer and really jump ahead.
• Complete a prerequisite
• Make faster progress toward graduation
• Explore something new and different
• Enhance your professional skills and credentials
• Take advantage of smaller classes
• Everyone pays in-state tuition
• Enjoy summer films and other campus activities
0SU Summer Online option...
No matter where you'll be this summer, discover the flexibility
of taking classes online, by video, or via independent study
through OSUEXTENDEDCAMPUS.
Phone:(541)737-9204 • 800-667-1465
ecampus@oregonstate.edu