Alskande Par (aka Loving Couples) (1964)

Set in 1914 Sweden, three women from different classes are in a maternity ward: an orphaned aristocrat (Gio Petre), an estate tenant's wife (Gunnel Lindblom) and a maid (Harriet Andersson). The one thing they have in common is that they all live or work on an estate owned by a spinster (Anita Bjork). Based on the novels (sic) by Agnes Von Krusenstjerna and directed by Mai Zetterling (THE GIRLS). A complex look at marriage, children and freedom for women in the early 20th century that could only have been made by a woman (though to be fair Zetterling's then husband David Hughes co-wrote the screenplay). It was quite controversial when it debuted in 1964 and it's still a raw eye opener today. The males in the film don't come off very well (not surprising considering male attitudes circa 1914). Zetterling uses an intricate structure combining various flashbacks interwoven with the present which often makes things difficult to follow but stick with it and the reward is well worth it. The striking B&W cinematography is by the great Sven Nykvist (CRIES AND WHISPERS). With Gunnar Bjornstrand, Eva Dahlbeck and Jan Malmsjo.