Mother of five sold as sex slave by her own partner — powerful new documentary series on HBO Max

The Sex Slave is a two-part HBO Original documentary premiering on HBO Max Friday August 14th. 

In the powerful and deeply affecting documentary series The Sex Slave, the complex and extraordinary story of Carola is portrayed. Her life changes dramatically after she leaves her family for a new relationship. What begins as a passionate love story gradually develops into a destructive relationship defined by control, isolation, psychological abuse, and sexual violence. 

“This is, in so many ways, an extraordinarily disturbing story — and an important one to tell. It is a reminder that we can never truly know what happens behind closed doors, no matter how idyllic life may appear from the outside. This story stands apart from many similar cases because of the vast amount of digital documentation: thousands of chats and text messages between Carola and Håkan,” says Anne Appelberg, executive producer of The Sex Slave for HBO Max. 

Across two episodes featuring unique interview material, the series presents both Carola’s account and the subsequent legal process, in which her former partner Håkan is convicted of serious crimes. The verdict also drew attention for taking into account what is known as the normalization process — how abuse and violations can slowly escalate, gradually become part of everyday life, and shift the boundaries of what a victim feels able to accept. 

In the documentary series, Håkan also gives his own, radically different version of the events and the relationship. He continues to maintain his innocence and questions the verdict. 

“It is deeply fascinating to encounter two people with completely contradictory accounts of what happened, and both presenting their version with such conviction. One might think it would be easy to decide whom to believe, but when you look at the police investigation’s extensive body of technical evidence and nearly one hundred witness statements, you quickly realize just how complex a case like this is,” says John Mork, producer of The Sex Slave at A Rabbit Hole for HBO Max. 

With interviews from people close to the case, investigators, legal representatives and others involved, The Sex Slave offers a multifaceted portrait of a relationship in which boundaries become blurred, destructive behaviours are normalised, and conflicting accounts stand against one another. The series explores questions of consent, manipulation and power — and the long-term consequences for everyone involved. 

The Sex Slave is a two-part HBO Original documentary, with both episodes released on HBO Max on Friday, 14 August. The programme is produced by John Mork / A Rabbit Hole. 

The Sex Slave (2 x 60 min) premieres August 14 on HBO Max in Iceland.

Images are available here: https://hbomaxnordicpress.com
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