The plan was that it would be a simple test of Kaj’s new camera.
The video became a viral success, seen by hundreds of thousands of Swedes.
Now the event is honored with a memorial stone by the lake where the clip was recorded.
– It’s just as fun now as it was then, says Lars-Göran, who is a nephew of one of the main characters.
Eva was going to film her swimming husband Kaj with the new video camera on a tripod that they had bought. But Eva wasn’t really used to the technology and didn’t understand that you could turn the lens. In the video, she can be heard shouting “Now you’re swimming out of the picture Kaj” every time Kaj is not visible in the camera.
The video was recorded in the 1980s but went viral when it spread on the internet 20 years later. Now the clip has close to a million views Youtube and will be honored with a memorial in Ryggesbo in Gävleborg county.
None of the main characters are alive anymore, but Eva’s nephew is sure that at least Kaj would have appreciated it.
– Back then there were almost no mobile phones, instead there were fixed cameras. Eva had never touched a camera and she probably didn’t think that there were sounds and stuff on it, so it was very spontaneous, says Lars-Göran.
Close to a million views
Lars-Göran says that the clip was submitted to Söndagsöppet – a program that was broadcast on SVT in the 90s.
– It was great fun, we got to see that late in the evening and thought it was great fun, says Lars-Göran.
About the monument, he says that Kaj must have thought it was funny.
– He thought it was very fun when it came on TV the first time. He tried to make several funny films. But this came so spontaneously, which made it so fun and appreciated, says Lars-Göran.
Lars-Göran, who has a cabin near Ryggesbo, says that many in the area did not know that the film had been shot at the nearby lake.
“Kaj thought it was funny”
Yesterday was the unveiling of the monument at the same location. But unlike that summer day 30 years ago, there was ice on the lake. Lars-Göran had to represent Eva and Kaj, who have both passed away.
– It’s fun that it’s being noticed. It’s just as fun now as it was then. Kaj must have thought it was funny, he says.