Keillers park (2006) Reviews

• A murder thriller and a love story

  andrejs-visockis2007-09-11

  Keillers Park is a Swedish film made in 2006 which is loosely based on the story surrounding the tragic death of a 37 year old man in the aforementioned park in the middle of Gothenburg in 1997. His death was a homophobic killing, and although the victim's boyfriend was accused of his murder initially, the real perpetrators were later found and convicted. What might have been another hate crime story actually turned out to be a film about the belated sexual awakening and coming out of Peter, a 30 something Swedish civil engineer of Latvian origin (yes, isn't that an interesting twist to the story?) who finds his entire existence turned upside down after a chance encounter with Nassim, a gay free spirit born in Algeria, longing to open a "tabac" in Paris, but stuck in the cold climate of Sweden. Giving in to his desire, Peter soon loses the perfect Swedish middle class life he has been leading hitherto - his girlfriend understandably enough walks out on him, his stock conservative father disowns him and throws him out of the family business he was soon to inherit. His former friends want nothing to do with him anymore and he finds it difficult to adjust to the new ones that come with the new territory. However, the personal happiness that seems to have come with the changes in his life still makes up for the losses. Or so he thinks. After a quarrel, Nassim is gone for several days and when he calls in the dead of the night asking for his bag, Peter discovers a plane ticket to Paris in Nassim's name. Shortly thereafter, the police storm Peter's flat, take him into custody and charge him with Nassim's murder. The story of the two men's relationship is revealed through Peter's interrogation by the police using flashbacks and is never boring, albeit painful to watch at times. The storytelling is strong and somewhat convincing, but I must say, only somewhat. I believe that it's possible to keep such an essential part of one's personality as sexuality at bay for many years, then something triggers one's true essence to come forth and lo and behold - here he is - sharing his bed with another man. I must admit that it sounds slightly out of this world, but yeah, what the hell, I can believe such premise - people are, after all, strange and often inexplicable beings. What I did find a lot less convincing was the apparent ease with which the change came. It may be down to the cliché non-expressive facade of the Nordic people, but it just seemed like Peter really didn't find it particularly hard to, in all essence, lose the ground he had been standing on. Also the culture clash between the orderly mind of a Swedish engineer and that of a free North African spirit was to be expected but I found the way in which it was shown rather perplexing. Nassim simply explodes one night because he's had enough of Peter. The build-up to the scene is simply not sufficient to make me believe such a sudden outburst, especially Peter's reaction. It is instrumental to the plot but it certainly does nothing to present the characters in a more realistic fashion. Another flaw with the story is that Peter's surroundings in Sweden of our day and age all seem to be so homophobic and prejudiced, especially taking into account that the story takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest city. The police interrogating Peter make homophobic remarks, his former friends are horrified that he's gay and his father completely abandons him. Although even in Sweden all of this could have happened, the totality of it all doesn't feel all too real. Actually, I could see this film set in Latvia to a higher degree than in Gothenburg, hence the irony of the main character being of Latvian origin. In a way, one could say that this is the first film ever made about a gay Latvian and in that respect the tragedy of it all only seems appropriate. Or not. Susanna Edwards' first attempt at a full length feature film comes across as solid. The acting is mostly good and the camera work deserves a big compliment. Despite some flaws, Keillers Park is certainly worth watching. It's a murder thriller and it's a love story. With a Swedish noir feeling about it.

• A Story of Sexual Awakening

  gradyharp2007-07-02

  KEILLERS PARK is a moody film noir from Sweden, a story by Pia Gradvall directed by Susanna Edwards that approaches the frequently told fears and joys of sexual coming out in a stylish and inventive way. It is a film that embellishes a fine script with creative camera work, sensitive use of flashbacks to peel the onion of the story's meaning, and employs some very fine actors who keep the drama electrified. Peter (Mårten Klingberg) is a successful thirty-something son of a wealthy engineer who stands to inherit his family business and who is engaged to a beautiful artist Maria (Karen Bergquist). At a gathering Peter notices a handsome Algerian Nassim (Pjotr Giro) and senses feelings of sexual awareness he has not known. Nassim is a happy, popular, comfortably gay man who pursues the looks exchanged. When Maria leaves town for a concert Peter and Nassim meet in Keiller Park and begin an erotic love affair: both men genuinely fall in love and the expression of their first physical encounter is one of the most subtle yet wholly erotic on film. Peter's involvement with Nassim affects his work, results in his father disowning him as he embraces the gay life, pushes Maria out of his life, and leaves him unemployed and alone except for Nassim. The story abruptly changes when the police breakdown Peter's door and arrest him for the murder of Nassim! Peter sits with the interrogators at the police station and in his shock that Nassim is dead, unfolds the whole story of their relationship. The secrets of Peter's life and the question as to Nassim's motivations and possible continued existence mold the resolution of the story in a manner that has explored all the highs and lows of new love and the consequences of entering a life that is intolerable to the outside world. Both Pjotr Giro and Mårten Klingberg as the lovers offer highly nuanced performances and the supporting cast is very strong. Director Edwards has a sophisticated style not only with her actors, but also with her eye for atmosphere and pacing, using techniques of black and white for special moments and glowing warm lighting for the erotic scenes. She manages to allow us to see both sides of the 'coming out' consequences in a mature manner. KEILLERS PARK is a fine art house movie. In Swedish with English subtitles. Grady Harp

• Not original, but overall acting is superb.

  rain_of_ice2007-07-02

  I would have to disagree with some of the comments previously regarding its focus on coming out. This is not a "feel good"/"coming out" movie but rather more complex issues with relationships as well as the underlying accusation of murder. I found it a shame the plot was not more complex or focused, or had more dynamic characters. This is one of those films where the acting is great, but basically the actors did not have much to work with. It's not incredible, but quite watchable in my opinion. And personally, I like that for a change, homosexuals in a movie are not all 18 or 20 somethings but instead more mature and older.

• Therapeutic Value of Keillers Park

  samtrak12042009-06-21

  I can relate to Peter because I was a closeted gay husband for 12 years (1967-79). Unfortunately I never met a true love to draw me out of the closet and force me face the facts of life. There ain't much motivation to be honest in one-night stands. Nassim has a most delicious body and his teasing romp in the nude is a joy to watch. The sex scenes are uncompromising and beautifully shot. I was surprised by the negative reaction from Peter's family and friends, because I thought Swedes were more accepting of homosexuality...however his wife's anger and sense of betrayal was to be expected. Keillers Park deals honestly with men on the down-low entrapped by deception and self-hate. The film is therapeutic for me because it has helped me release a lot of bottled up guilt and shame.

• Interesting Tragedy

  foxface2008-03-24

  Keillers Park is an interesting flashback movie, that tells the story of Peter and Nassmin and how chance brought them together and how chance separated them. Though the movie uses flashback moments, which have been done so often in so many films, you don't have a hard time distinguishing between present and past time. The actors are what make this film. The script can seem credible and not plausible at the same time. However, the male leads are so committed to their characters that you can believe what is happening to them. The director does a good job of using different types of lights or colors to convey different aspects of the film, in addition to the flashbacks. Peter and Nassim's first sexual encounter is bathed in the glow of sunset and candles (as are all their love scenes, except for one, which is bathed in moonlight, and the sexual roles are reversed). Peter's look of awe, and an almost virgin like awareness of what he is experiencing, and then his ability to let his body take over, is just some great acting by Marten Klingberg. Their encounter is very gentle and soft and not exploitive. Nassim on the other hand is overly campy at times, but you care for him, and see he is more the child in the relationship that craves constant attention and wants the feeling of the first time to be constant. Nassim is who he is and has no pretense in contrast with Peter, who seems repressed, and has to shed a lot of things, including is family and fiancée. Nassim doesn't seem aware of all that Peter is losing to be with him and when they argue or Peter won't sleep with Nassim, that sees to be the reason why. The interrogation room is in black and white and is a bit like a teenager having to account for his actions to his parents. This film is full of relationships and doors (literally) being broken down. It speaks to sexual and psychological repression very well. The foreshadowing done in the film, Nassim has dreams about being attacked and has a close call, lets you know something will happen to him. I know a part of this story is based on an actual murder, but the murder at the end, seemed unreal. Maybe that was the point, a senseless murder. At one point I wasn't sure if this film was supposed to take place in the present or past. It seemed as if the film maker wanted it to be in the past, (the beginning dinner scene, the fiancée seems to wear a bun straight out of the 50's, Nassim's apartment has hippy beads), I wasn't sure. I think the director decided to go with modern times. So I was unclear as to if everyone finding out Peter was gay was almost an overreaction or just how people really act, which I am going to believe is the director's intent. People say they are progressive, until it comes down to a member of their own family. This film is dark and sad, but enjoyable.