Rape (1971)
A stark Norwegian drama from director Anja Breien, examining violence, justice, and the crushing weight of institutional power on an ordinary man.
Rape - Movie Information
Rape - Plot
It's winter in a suburb. A housewife is brutally raped. A young woman becomes a victim of attempted rape. The Police tighten noose on Anders, a young road worker who was seen on the site in both cases. The two women think they recognize him in the lineup, and police investigators use all their strength to solve the case. Anders is a common and simple individual. He could be any youth. The meeting with the ongoing investigation and the solid judiciary, forces him out of a seemingly monotonous, habitual life and forces him to react and think.
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Rape - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Anja Breien
Main Cast
- Svein Sturla Hungnes
- Anne Marie Ottersen
- Liv Thorsen
- Per Carlson
- Olav Hestenes
- Kjell Stormoen
- Sverre Horge
- Erik Øksnes
- Katja Medbøe
- Terje Torp
Writers
- Per Blom
- Anja Breien
Rape - FAQs
What is Rape (1971) about?
Rape follows two sexual assault cases in a Norwegian suburb during winter. A young road worker named Anders becomes the prime suspect. As police pressure mounts and the victims identify him in a lineup, the film examines how the justice system bears down on an ordinary, unremarkable young man.
Who directed the 1971 Norwegian film Rape?
Rape was directed by Anja Breien, one of Norway's most significant filmmakers. Breien was a pioneering female director in Scandinavian cinema, and this film stands as one of her earliest features, noted for its unflinching social realism and critical perspective on the Norwegian legal system.
Is Rape (1971) based on a true story?
Rape is not based on a single documented true story, but it draws heavily on real social conditions in early 1970s Norway. The screenplay by Per Blom and Anja Breien was crafted to reflect authentic experiences within the Norwegian judicial system, giving the film a strong documentary-like credibility.
Who are the main actors in Rape (1971)?
The film stars Svein Sturla Hungnes as the suspect Anders Bakken, Anne Marie Ottersen as Wilhelmine Hansen, and Liv Thorsen as Rita. The supporting cast includes Per Carlson, Olav Hestenes, Kjell Stormoen, Sverre Horge, Erik Øksnes, Katja Medbøe, and Terje Torp.
What themes does Rape (1971) explore?
Beyond the crime itself, Rape interrogates institutional power, class, and the vulnerability of ordinary individuals within a rigid legal apparatus. Breien uses the investigation to question how justice systems can dehumanize suspects, forcing even an unremarkable person to confront their own identity and agency under extreme scrutiny.
When was Rape released and in which country?
Rape was released on March 1, 1971, in Norway, where it carried a 15 age classification. It was produced by Norsk Film, the state-supported Norwegian production company, and was shot entirely in Norway, capturing the cold suburban winter landscape that frames the film's bleak atmosphere.
How long is the 1971 film Rape?
Rape has a runtime of 96 minutes. The film's measured pace allows Breien to build tension gradually, observing the investigative process and its psychological toll on all parties involved rather than relying on dramatic set pieces or conventional thriller momentum.
What are similar films to Rape (1971)?
Viewers drawn to Rape may also appreciate Straw Dogs (1971), which similarly confronts violence and social order, as well as She's Missing (2019) and The Inheritors (1998). Summertime (2015) and January Hymn (2015) share the film's Scandinavian sensibility and interest in quiet, socially grounded storytelling.
More About Rape
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