Mr. Governor (2008)

Over a year, we follow the former Swedish Minister of Defense, Anders Björck, in his work as governor of Uppsala County. The official position is almost 400 years old, and the job consists of sitting at a big desk, having lunch meetings with other governors, cutting ribbons at opening ceremonies, holding speeches and eating dinner with the King and Queen of Sweden. It is hard work, but someone has to do it. Björck gives the viewer full access, making this personal portrait both humorous and very, very serious.
The movie is shot in black and white on 16 mm film, and young Swedish prodigy Måns Månsson lets the camera speak for itself. Without a narrating voice or interviews, he leaves us with a poetic pictorial language, allowing even the smallest details to make a difference. Full of Cinéma Vérité atmosphere, Mr Governor captures and gives insight to one of the most forgotten elements of Swedish government and democracy, showing us how our taxes are spent.