The film caused much international controversy, because of a nude swimming sequence and a love scene which included a close-up of Ulla Jacobsson's breasts, but also because of its very anti-clerical message by portraying a local priest as the main villain.
The movie generated widespread outrage internationally, mainly because of a naked swimming scene and a romantic love scene that included a close-up of Ulla Jacobsson's breasts, in addition to its overtly anti-clerical message, which portrayed a local priest as the main villain.