Released on April 15 by TriArt, the theatrical career of the Swedish film The Girl, the Mother and the Demon by acclaimed director Suzanne Osten has suffered severely from a 15+ rating imposed by the Swedish Board of classification with an opening weekend tally of just over 1,200 admissions.

Based on the writer/director’s own story, the film revolves around an 8-year old girl who grows up with a mentally ill mother who sees demons no one else can see. Promoted by TriArt and the production company Fundament Film as a ‘thriller for kids and a love drama for adults’, the film was given a 15+ rating from the Swedish board of classification the National Media Council that felt the film was ‘detrimental to the welfare of children under 15’.

Despite winning an appeal, the film distributor and creators are still waiting for a final Court decision and hoping that the film will finally be able to be watched by the film’s primary target, kids from 11 years old and their parents.

Producer Agneta J. Bergenstråhle says this ‘unique film both in terms of theme and independent filmmaking has been caught in a censorship debate on age limits instead of getting the attention that both the film and the audience deserves and many people have been deprived of an unforgettable movie experience.”

The decision from the Supreme Administrative Court will be announced on May 13. If The Girl, the Mother and the Demons obtains an 11 Rating, TriArt said they will increase the promotion and marketing on the film to hopefully re-capture the lost audience. 

The film is supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.