Fanny and Alexander (1982)

Artsy period pieces have a beauty all their own. In addition to conveying a cinematic poetry, these costume dramas can transcend time and place. Audiences in one part of the world can experience the colorful past and cultural customs of another country from across the ocean. Such is the case for Ingmar Bergman’s semi-autobiographical pic Fanny and Alexander (1982). Also known as Fanny och Alexander, the Swedish saga was initially shown as a television miniseries before it was released on the big screen. The choice to edit it into a motion picture paid off since the flick picked up four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film. No doubt, the Academy was impressed by the story which explores the inner workings of an eccentric family in the 1900s. The plot centers on the Ekdahl children, Fanny (Pernilla Allwin) and Alexander (Bertil Guve), whose parents Oskar (Allan Edwall) and Emile (Ewa Fröling) are the director and lead actress in a local theater company. After Oskar’s sudden death, Emile and the family move in with the local bishop, Edvard Vergerus (Jan Malmsjö), whose austere, dour home contrasts with the magical household of Isak Jacobi (Erland Josephson), a Jewish merchant who is kind to the children. Even sweeter is the nanny (Pernilla August) who unbuttons her nightgown to bare her breasts when the kids are asleep. Meanwhile, Alma (Mona Malm) flashes her nippage to her hubby with a chubby (Jarl Kulle). Suffice it to say, the film offers some boob views, but there’s no fanny, Alexander.