Ingmar Bergman

He, and the remarkable group of actors who embody his thoughts, skilfully depict the many degrees of desire, love, despair and hate that draw people together and drive them apart.
The thematic diversity of Bergman’s remarkable work encompasses tragedy, comedy and melodrama – never fearing to delve into deeply personal issues such as man’s relationship with God. When Wild Strawberries was released Bergman commented, Religious problems are continuously alive for me. Not on the emotional level, but the intellectual level.

Bergman started in the film industry in Sweden in 1942. The promising young man got a job rewriting movie scripts for Svensk Filmindustri, but didn’t stay in the position for long. Two years later, one of Bergman’s scripts was the basis for the internationally praised film Torment and his career was on its way.

A man of unusual drive, Bergman has directed more than 40 feature films and 100 plays. He’s also found the time to write more than 30 screenplays for film, as well as direct a number of original theatre and television productions.
But rather than simply praising him for being prolific, new audiences should see Bergman’s work for its tenacious ability to probe the often uncomfortable recesses of our souls.

Directors