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 film ignited intense global debate, primarily due to a nude swimming sequence and an intimate love scene featuring Ulla Jacobsson's breasts, as well as its strongly anti-clerical tone, which depicted a local priest as the primary antagonist.