The author, having lived in Sweden for over 35 years, discovers a cultural touchstone even more quintessentially Swedish than IKEA, Midsummer celebrations, or the iconic musician Tomas Ledin: the Jönssonligan film series. These movies, based on a Danish original, have attained a near-mythical status in Sweden, akin to the royal family. The mere mention of the leader, Charles-Ingvar Jönsson, elicits a strong reaction from any native Swede, sparking a flurry of opinions, memories, and anecdotes, occasionally punctuated by an ill-advised impersonation.
The author’s impending viewing of the newest installment, ”Jönssonligan kommer tillbaka” (The Jönsson Gang Returns), evokes warm nostalgia among their Swedish friends. One friend recounts childhood sleepovers at their grandparents’ house, where the VHS collection consisted solely of Jönssonligan films and ”Sällskapsresan” (The Charter Trip), another Swedish classic. These films became a shared ritual, a source of laughter and memorized lines, cementing the Jönssonligan’s place in family traditions. Another friend shares photos of themselves and their best friend dressed as Sickan and Vanheden, two of the gang’s core members, highlighting the characters’ enduring appeal and the ritualistic masquerades that accompany each premiere. These personal narratives underscore the intergenerational legacy of the Jönssonligan, passed down through families like a cherished heirloom.
The author realizes the reason for their previous unfamiliarity with the Jönssonligan lies in this very tradition of early indoctrination. Appreciation for the zany antics of these comedic criminals isn’t spontaneously generated; it’s cultivated from childhood, nurtured within families, and passed down through generations. Actor Jonas Karlsson, in a newspaper interview, captures this phenomenon, describing the Jönssonligan as ”a part of the collective Sweden.” Karlsson himself plays Vanheden in the new film, the eleventh in the series since 1981, amidst controversy surrounding the original actor’s disapproval and attempts to halt further productions.
The author, unburdened by comparisons to the original cast, finds Karlsson’s portrayal of the charmingly roguish Vanheden brilliant: funny, quick-witted, and insightful. A scene featuring Vanheden as a black market real estate broker, attempting to extort a young couple for a million kronor for a rental contract, is praised as sharp satire of Stockholm’s out-of-control housing market. The film’s overall entertainment value leaves the author almost resentful for having missed out on the previous installments, prompting questions about the enduring silence surrounding the Jönssonligan’s comedic brilliance. Even more importantly, the author ponders how to emulate Doris’s chic, mob-wife-esque style and questions why Charles-Ingvar Jönsson isn’t ranked among Sweden’s cinematic greats.
This experience becomes a cultural epiphany for the author. Witnessing the film and hearing the stories of their friends unlocks an understanding of the Jönssonligan’s significance in the Swedish psyche. The author reflects on the generational impact of these films, the shared memories, the inside jokes, and the characters that have become embedded in the nation’s cultural fabric. The shared experience of the Jönssonligan serves as a unifying force, connecting generations of Swedes through laughter, nostalgia, and a shared appreciation for these lovable rogues. The author’s newfound understanding feels like a step closer to fully embracing Swedish cultural identity, a puzzle piece finally falling into place.
Finally, stepping out of the cinema, the author feels a deeper connection to Swedish culture, as if a long-standing gap has been bridged. The Jönssonligan, a seemingly trivial film series, has become a gateway to understanding the Swedish national identity. The experience even inspires a humorous contemplation of embracing other Swedish staples like licorice and the music of Ulf Lundell. This humorous self-reflection underscores the author’s journey of cultural integration, demonstrating how a seemingly simple movie experience can lead to a more profound understanding and appreciation of a nation’s cultural identity.
