Torbjörn Axelman
Directing
Biography
Lars Gunnar Torbjörn Kullänger-Axelman (28 April 1932 – 25 February 2023) was a Swedish television producer, director and writer. Axelman was born on 28 April 1932 in Eskilstuna, Sweden, the son of Valdemar Axelman, a bookseller, and his wife Märtha (née Engström). He passed studentexamen in Örebro in 1951 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1955 and a Master of Philosophy degree from Uppsala University in 1956. Axelman did TV studies in England in 1956 and the United States in 1961 and 1966. Axelman was a journalist at Nerikes Allehanda and Tidningen Upsala periodically from 1952 to 1966 and was a producer at Sveriges Television and Sveriges Radio from 1956 to 1985. He produced cultural programs Prisma from 1958 to 1961 and several programs together with the artist Ardy Strüwer and Lasse Åberg. Axelman was also a painter and book illustrator and held solo exhibitions in Uppsala in 1953 and 1954, Visby in 1983, 1985, 1987–1989, Stockholm 1986–1989, Grythyttan in 1987, Monaco in 1989, London in 1990 and in New York City in 1990.He was also part of joint exhibition, for example at the Liljevalchs konsthall in 1961. Axelman was also CEO of AB Stockholms Aero from 1984 and he was a member of the Society Stallbröderna.
Known For
A group of Americans who live together in an old mansion somewhere in Sweden spend their time between working at the local airplane plant and hanging out with their revolutionary friends. Smoke has something going with his boss's daughter, but when the boss finds out, he has some dudes beat up Smoke. This leads to a strike among the workers, and a break between the boss and his daughter who goes to live with Smoke and his friends. In order to save his job from angry stockholders, the boss offers Smoke a sizable amount of money to end the strike; but when Smoke and the guys spend the money on guns things get out of hand.
Smoke
Mauritz, a handsome but frustrated writer, journeys to an island idyll of the coast of Sweden to enjoy the fleeting summer sun. Soon he becomes romantically involved with Barbro, a sexy young temptress.
Vibration
Sweden in the near future. A terrorist leader is planning an attack against a US oil rig off the coast of Sweden. It all develops into a tangle of environmental scandals, political corruption and murder.
Flight Level 450
Lee Hazlewood's album “Cowboy in Sweden” presented as a series of dreams. The movie alternates between absurdist skits and songs, given totally incongruous visual settings.
Cowboy in Sweden
The clown Jac's defense speech from Hjalmar Bergman's novel. A monologue about the degrading of being an artist, performed in a circus ring with the camera as the audience.
Clownen Jac
Consists of a series of crazy-stressed sketches, in a loosely coherent framework. The story is a bizarre variation on the tale of the three suitors and the king's daughter.
Oj oj oj eller 'Sången om den eldröda hummern'
Michelle Moreau notice a man replacing a battery in a race car. She is chased by the man but escapes. The race car belongs to Bobby Flyckt and Michelle gets a lift with him through Europe.
Het Snö
Director Torbjörn Axelman and singer Lee Hazlewood philosophize about their lives. In their vicinity are the psychics Fedra, mysteriously talking about tigers, the forces of evil that constantly threaten.
A House Safe For Tigers
Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood’s headlining concerts at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas 1973.
Nancy & Lee in Las Vegas
Set in the world of the Swedish culture establishment, this is a psychotic thriller where morbid visions, depraved sexuality, and violence come together in perfect proportions.
Kameleonterna
A concept film made for Swedish television featuring songs that appeared on Lee Hazlewood’s album Requiem For An Almost Lady plus some additional tunes.
Requiem for an Almost Lady
Fata Morgana - a mirage, a vision that's become a film. A fantastical space journey through technical spheres.