MovieChat Forums > Den brysomme mannen (2007) Discussion > If this is supposed to be an afterlife o...

If this is supposed to be an afterlife of some sort

posted 9 years ago by ksandness
5 replies | jump to latest

what was the bit near the beginning about the man impaled on the iron fence with his guts hanging out?

[–] SMORacka 9 years ago

It was not meant to be an afterlife, but the perfect society where everyone is supposed to be happy.

The guy who impaled himself had gone mad, just like Andreas, and committed suicide. My guess is he's still alive just like Andreas survived the train accidents.

[–] gentey 8 years ago

I've only watched it once but it seemed to be some kind of purgatory or afterlife for people who've committed suicide.

[–] gentey 8 years ago

there is a forum with the director on youtube. Originally there was a radio play and the narrator revealed it was hell. The director changed it because he thought it would be better if it was up to the audience to interpret.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 8 years ago

Originally there was a radio play and the narrator revealed it was hell. The director changed it because he thought it would be better if it was up to the audience to interpret.

I think this was a good idea. I liked the idea that I was watching a dystopian take on current Western societies where everything is clean, hygienic and orderly. There is no want for material needs and everyone is polite and friendly. It was so anaesthetised and lacking in colour or vitality that like the main character I hated it. Reminded me of Roy Andersson's observations of modern life.

I'm scared of the middle place between light and nowhere

[–] gentey 8 years ago

I think it makes the most sense as a form of Hell or afterlife. But I wonder who for? maybe just people who were resigned to live in a way that was not the fullest and just people who resigned themselves to mediocrity and their personal vices.

In Swedenbourg's religious view, Hell was a place where you would be if you would actually be happier in Hell. And if you were unhappy you could leave and go to Heaven. Maybe that influenced the writer. The one girl was happy being a single slut, the other was happy being materialistic and accommodating, but he was miserable and so he was able to leave.

Now I am wondering if he returned to life or if he went to Heaven. Or even if the hole that he escaped to was to Heaven or to life. But I think the director just said that he went somewhere cold and left that vague intentionally too.

Maybe the point being that cold is like a kind of pain that you can feel. But at least it wouldn't be bland or too comfortable as it was in the Hell.