Egil Holmsen


Egil Sophus Severen Holmsen 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, The Brothers Lionheart, Dante - watch out for the Shark! and the TV show Stakeout, which became his last role.
Holmsen began to write novels in the 1980s. His bibliography comprises Explosives, Inheritance and In Goddesses Womb.

Filmography

As an actor

YearEnglish TitleSwedish TitleRole
1941Home from Babylon:sv:Hem från Babylon|Hem från Babylon
1941Mrs. Wildcat:sv:Fröken Vildkatt|Fröken VildkattMan at Thomas' birthday party
1942Stinsen på Lyckås:sv:Stinsen på Lyckås|Stinsen på LyckåsJohn
1942Sun over Klara:sv:Sol över Klara|Sol över KlaraTroublemaker
1942One Does Not Forgot:sv:Man glömmer Ingenting|Man glömmer IngentingArt school student
1942Bleeding Hearts':sv:Löjtnantshjärtan |LöjtnantshjärtanJohan Blom
1942A Trallande Lass:sv:En trallande jänta|En trallande jäntaEditor Lundberg
1942Doctor Glass:sv:Doktor Glas |Doktor GlasStudent
1942It's My Music:sv:Det är min musik|Det är min musikParty guest
1942Life in the Countryside:sv:Livet på landet |Livet på landetYoung man
1944A Daughter Born:sv:En dotter född|En dotter föddJohnny, young man
1945Girls on the Port:sv:Flickor i hamn|Flickor i hamnThird mate
1972Swedish Wildcats:sv:Swedish Wildcats|Swedish Wildcats
1975Champagne Gallop:sv:Champagnegalopp|Champagnegalopp
1977The Brothers Lionheart:sv:Bröderna Lejonhjärta |Bröderna LejonhjärtaTengil's man
1978Dante - Watch out for the shark:sv:Dante - akta're för Hajen!|Dante - akta're för Hajen!Police officer
1983Stakeout :sv:Spanarna |Spanarna''Alvar Bergholm

As a director

YearEnglish TitleSwedish Title
1948The Textilres:sv:Textilarna|Textilarna
1952Dangerous Curve:sv:Farlig kurva|Farlig kurva
1953Marianne:sv:Marianne |Marianne
1953Speed Fever:sv:Fartfeber|Fartfeber
1954The Horse Handler's Girls:sv:Hästhandlarens flickor|Hästhandlarens flickor

As a screenwriter

YearEnglish TitleSwedish Title
1952Dangerous Curve:sv:Farlig kurva|Farlig kurva
1953Speed Fever:sv:Fartfeber|Fartfeber
1971What do they have in the bank?:sv:Va' har dom för sej i banken?|Va' har dom för sej i banken?