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Release Date: December 6th, 2006 (Film Forum) by Zeitgeist Films. Directed by Marie Nyreröd. In Swedish with subtitles. BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about Ingmar Bergman, a filmmaker secluded in Faro, a Swedish island. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: In Bergman Island, director Marie Nyreröd visits the home of Ingmar Bergman on the Swedish island of Faro. He lives a solitary life after a divorcing a few women through his life and clearly enjoys the quiet—although he does have trouble sleeping at times. He briefly explains how he got into the filmmaking world and how one of his films was shown in Cannes by the distributor without his awareness. The next morning, while sitting on the toilet with a newspaper, he was surprised to read about the film’s success in Cannes. Most of this film includes him talking about scenes from his past films such as Fanny and Alexander, Persona, Cries and Whispers and Through a Glass Darkly. Interestingly, many scenes were simply recreations of his personal experiences as well evidence of his love for ticking clocks—which, he explains, has to do with the clock he found on his father when he died. Any fan of Ingmar Bergman will certainly be absorbed and compelled by this 85-minute documentary which humanizes Bergman, although without any shocking information about him. More information about his childhood years would have been interesting as well. Bergman Island is preceded by Guy Maddin’s refreshing 17-minute film, My Dad is 100 Years Old, staring Isabella Rossellini. Review of My Dad is 100 Years Old from the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival SPIRITUAL VALUE: None, other than a revealing scene when Bergman runs down the list of his inner demons and his brief list of what aren’t his demons. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: None. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 2 IN A NUTSHELL: Absorbing and compelling, but strictly for avid fans of Ingmar Bergman. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Avid fans of Bergman- Movie Theater (1st Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu Chronological Menu The "B" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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