Beauties and Beasts: On the Child-Nature Relationship in Swedish Children’s Film

When studying Swedish children’s film, a strong link between children and nature can be found, connected to the national identity. However, the notion that children are naturally linked to nature in ways other than adults are, has seldom been questioned. In the present chapter, six Swedish children’s films are analysed. The question is what the bond between children and nature consists of and what kind of assumptions this bond has for children, for nature and for society. What comes to the fore is children shouldering the responsibility for nature, animals and other groups—such as indigenous peoples and folklore creatures—that are rendered voiceless by adult society. In these representations, children act to save habitats and their inhabitants while befriending them and appreciating the beauties, richness and splendour of nature. Adults, on the other hand, mostly fail to act against (or even cause) threats to children and nature, neglecting to take responsibility for the damage they have caused.