Egil Holmsen

Egil Sophus Severen Holmsen (February 15, 1917 – May 30, 1990) was a Swedish film director, screenwriter, journalist, author and actor. He was the younger brother of author Sverre Holmsen.

Career

Holmsen initially worked as a journalist until he transitioned into the film industry as an actor. He debuted in Alf Sjöberg's Home from Babylon in 1941. He continued to work as an actor during the 1940s, until he began to direct and write scrips for various major production companies. In 1947, he debuted as a director with The Battle for the Coffee and as a screenwriter with City in the South. Holmsen followed with three coming-of-age films in the 1950s, Dangerous Curve in 1952, followed by Marianne and Speedfever in 1953. All three films depicted young teenagers in the criminal underworld of Stockholm.

Holmsen was heavily criticized after the release of Marianne, as it explored themes considered taboo at the time such as teenage sex, drugs and lesbian love. His next film Speedfever was also panned as it depicted crime and gay prostitution, which also caused it to be heavily censored. Holmsen's spree of controversial films did not end, as his following film, The Horse Handler's Girls, contained a provocative end scene featuring incest. It was his last feature film as a director.

During the 1950s to the 1970s, Holmsen continued writing scripts, particularly for several housewife films. Holmsen then revived his acting career in 1972 starring in the adult film Swedish Wildcats. He later starred in Champagne Gallop (1975), The Brothers Lionheart (1977), Dante - watch out for the Shark! (1978) and the TV show Stakeout (1983), which became his last role.

Holmsen began to write novels in the 1980s. His bibliography comprises Explosives (1981), Inheritance (1982) and In Goddesses Womb (1985).

Filmography

As an actor

Year English Title Swedish Title Role 1941 Home from Babylon Hem från Babylon 1941 Miss Wildcat Fröken Vildkatt Man at Thomas' birthday party 1942 The Stationmaster at Lyckås Stinsen på Lyckås John 1942 Sun Over Klara Sol över Klara Troublemaker 1942 One Does Not Forget Man glömmer ingenting Art school student 1942 Bleeding Hearts Löjtnantshjärtan Johan Blom 1942 A Trallande Lass En trallande jänta Editor Lundberg 1942 Doctor Glas Doktor Glas Student 1942 It Is My Music Det är min musik Party guest 1942 Life in the Country Livet på landet Young man 1944 A Daughter Born En dotter född Johnny, young man 1945 Girls in Port Flickor i hamn Third mate 1972 Swedish Wildcats Swedish Wildcats 1975 What the Swedish Butler Saw Champagnegalopp 1977 The Brothers Lionheart Bröderna Lejonhjärta Tengil's man 1978 Dante - Watch out for the Shark Dante - akta're för Hajen! Police officer 1983 Stakeout (TV series) Spanarna Alvar Bergholm

As a director

Year English Title Swedish Title 1948 The Textile Workers Textilarna 1952 Dangerous Curve Farlig kurva 1953 Marianne Marianne 1953 Speed Fever Fartfeber 1954 Time of Desire Hästhandlarens flickor

As a screenwriter

Year English Title Swedish Title 1952 Dangerous Curve Farlig kurva 1953 Speed Fever Fartfeber 1971 What are they doing in the bank? Va' har dom för sej i banken?