The City of My Dreams – premiered October 29, 1976 Ingvar Skogsberg's film adaptation of Per Anders Fogelström's novel is one of the most ambitious Swedish film projects of the 1970s. With a running time of 168 minutes and a large cast, the film depicts working-class life in 1860s Stockholm – not as a nostalgic look back, but as a socially and politically charged drama.
Eddie Axberg plays Henning Nilsson, the young worker who seeks a better life in the capital. Axberg is the film's observer – he sees, listens and reacts, but is often silent. The role ties in with his previous work in Jan Troell's Utvandrarna and Här har du ditt liv.
Britt-Louise Tillbom plays Lotten Blom, Henning's life partner. She is both practical and emotional – a woman who carries the family through adversity. Kjell-Hugo Grandin plays Ture "Tummen" Lindgren, Henning's coworker and friend, while Peter Lindgren and Fylgia Zadig portray older generations who carry the city's burdens on their shoulders.
Director Ingvar Skogsberg also wrote the script and chose to have Per Anders Fogelström read from his novel himself in the film's transitions. This gives the story a documentary feel and anchoring it in reality. The film was produced by Olle Hellbom and Olle Nordemar, and the music was written by Björn Isfält.
A surprising detail is that some scenes were shot in the disused premises of AB Sommelii factories in Henriksborg, to recreate the quayside environments at Saltsjön. The film also includes a break of about two minutes. A pause sign appears after 92 minutes – a move reminiscent of the structure of a theatre and which is very unusual in Swedish film production.