By Kakie Urch
What makes lede writers at the NYT go a little nuts over Swedish food, Charlie Rose get his foulard in a bunch and employees’ productivity slump the day after a “new one” is released?
It is, of course, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, late Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s trilogy about Lisbeth Salander, a post-traumatic, tattoo/leather/high math heroine for our times.
It’s a “phenomenon” — just watch Charlie Rose enthuse.
It’s three books, two movies in Swedish, with a third already in the can and a Hollywood re-do plan that is rumored to be the reason that actress Emma Watson (Hermione of Harry Potter fame) cut her hair into a PIXIE for a chance to star in it.
Well, you know the C in ACE stands for Culture. And we are a full-service Culture organization.
We’re working on a complete guide to the Phenomenon. To help you. One of our best friends is Swedish. In fact, half of our family is Swedish, though the Norweiggians they married subtly stomped it out of them.
America, you didn’t run to see the Seventh Seal like this.
But the Kentucky Theater, with the legendary Fred Mills at the helm, has got your back.
Haven’t read the first book? Haven’t seen the first movie? And the second movie, The Girl Who Played with Fire is opening at the Kentucky on Friday.
The Kentucky has booked the first movie The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for a cultural catchup for one day only: this Thursday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
So this may be your chance to start book 1 at the movie theater. Hollywood is remaking three Swedish movies. You will want to be in on this, culturally speaking. How about them Cats? How about that Girl Movie 2?
For a quick primer on the phenomenon, here’s the take from the Globe and Mail, always trustworthy on matters of books and culture.
The film has English subtitles, some scenes of sexuality and sexual violence.
What prompted me to think it was the best book to film adaptation ever done, and I’m including To Kill A Mockingbird?
Well, I read the book. Until 3 a.m. What…dark circles? Oh, I’m fine. They’re hereditary. I’m Swedish by background, you know.
