Leave a comment

Comments 13

the_scepter April 15 2009, 12:35:24 UTC
Funny enough I've just saved that CC's photo from google as I was looking for some pikkies to celebrate her birthday at vintage_photo:))..as for the movie I can't wait to see it coming out on dvd here:/, I haven't read the book though
And it's always good to see von Sydow's still btw... I remember..my disappointment after NOT getting the 2nd 7th seal but curiously enough, after few years, I still remember some of the scenes pretty well (yes, the rape's def among them)..:)

Reply

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 13:47:59 UTC
Hee. Then we must have googled the same images. I was actually looking for one of Mr. Lancaster, but CC was so utterly sexy and gorgeous I just had to include her.

It's funny you should mention the "Seventh Seal", because that was also at the back of my mind before watching it. Now there are differences and similarities with those two films, but I actually feel the bookend each other rather well. They both deal with religion in some regard, and they both test their characters faith against the cruelty and mindless violence of the age they depict.

Reply


dianora77 April 15 2009, 12:50:38 UTC
The first one was my favourite Bergman film for a while. Not any more. But I was fascinated when I first saw it.
The second one I mentioned in my final thesis which I wrote back in film school (historical genre was my subject). Good times. Good times.

Reply

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 13:35:51 UTC
The Virgin Spring lingered in my head for days afterwards and I kept going over the plot lines. Almost as if I tried to rewrite it for myself, because I found the narrative proper so disturbing. So excellent film - if a bit gloomy.

And hooray! You have seen Il Gattoppardo. I fell utterly in love with that film, and how a film dealing with changes can be so quiet and understated. The pretty, pretty actors help of course. ;)

Reply


(The comment has been removed)

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 13:44:20 UTC
"Silence" is also a good one, and I also have a special place in my heart for "Persona".

'Sister' would be the correct translation yes. I found it chilling that they referred to her as sister, since it was the belief in brotherly love and the kinship of mankind that had motivated Karin to sharing her food with them in the first place.

I can't remember if they at any point realise whose house they're in.

It is never really stated, but once Max von Sydow rages they catch on a bit. I actually find it interesting that the robbers are killed in rage, without fully realising why. Not only does that mirror Karin's shock and disbelief - but it also highlights the blind rage of her father. He doesn't explain why he is killing them, he just does. Ergo it is not like a modern court of law where the accused are told why they are punished, but cold revenge.

Reply


22by7 April 15 2009, 14:52:25 UTC
Oh god, this summer, I promise myself, I am going on a Bergman-watching spree. Thank you for the reminder.

Reply

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 18:47:09 UTC
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the films. :) Just be advised to split the film watching up into suitable intervals. I did a Bergman marathon one weekend, and ended up feeling miserable. Just too much religion and death I guess. But damn the man could make films.

Reply


alexandral April 15 2009, 15:11:20 UTC
I am yet to see a film by Bergman that can be called happy. This sounds even gloomier than the rest, though he always seem to manage to drag his viewers out of their comfort zone. This is may be the big part of his brilliancy - once dragged out of the box it is easier to perceive new ideas.

Reply

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 18:40:56 UTC
Well, I insist on seeing "Wild Strawberries" as sort of ambivalent-can-be-interpreted-as happy. At least it doesn't end with gloom and death.

he always seem to manage to drag his viewers out of their comfort zone. This is may be the big part of his brilliancy - once dragged out of the box it is easier to perceive new ideas.

I love the way you formulate this, because yes - that is exactly what he does. Brilliant, troubled man.

Reply

alexandral April 15 2009, 19:03:49 UTC
Oh, I find "Wild Strawberries" to be very sad. Doesn't it end with the protagonist's death? But it is not just that - I find the stories of how "we wither and perish, our time is but short" and about accepting the mortal nature of everyone to be very sad.

Reply

baleanoptera April 15 2009, 19:25:39 UTC
But we don't see him die as such, and at any rate at this point his actions have affected the relationship between his son and daughter-in-law to the better. And he has experienced happiness while talking to the youths that hitch-hike with him. So I've always read it as a man finding peace with himself after a lifetime or errors.

But yes, the film is sad - just not as sad as other Bergman flicks.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up