Fårö dokument

Faro Document captures a particular time (end of the 1960s) in an extremely particular place (Faro island in Sweden, population under 1,000). As a non-Swede with a nearly nonexistent understanding of Swedish history, large parts of the discussion are completely lost, such as whether a bridge should be built and some of the political discussion.

Portions of the documentary still have impact. Bergman's cinematography does an amazing job capturing the topography and seasonality of Faro, as well as its unique community. The lengthy scenes of animal slaughter and birth seem designed to make the viewer uncomfortable, as though to emphasize the detachment of modern (urban) society from the life cycles of livestock consumption.

In a related vein, the film raises interesting issues of the alienation of rural areas against the larger, more populous (and powerful) municipalities, with the inhabitants of isolated Faro alternatively complaining of the (usually economic) unfairness of the urban government and poor state of government services against fearing that large-scale development would cost Faro its identity, all with the backdrop of generational concerns of population decline and youthful intention to leave Faro for lack of jobs and entertainment.

Overall, it's a historical piece with interesting moments, but largely is not worthwhile.