Ingmar Bergman - (Lund University Press) by Erik Hedling (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book combines new approaches to Bergman's films and writings with more traditional analyses of widely acclaimed masterpieces like Smiles of a Summer Night and Fanny and Alexander. Most of the contributors are established Bergman specialists, and all of them provide challenging readings of the works of one of the world's most famous filmmakers.

Book Synopsis

This unique collection focuses on the work of legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Written in the wake of the centenary of Bergman's birth in 2018, the volume aims to combine new approaches to Bergman's films and writings with more traditional analyses. Established themes such as Bergman's interest in philosophy and psychology are addressed, but also less familiar topics, notably his relationship with Hollywood and his elaborate use of film music and autobiographical writing that characterised his later work. There are new analyses of aspects of Bergman's most famous films, including Smiles of a Summer Night and Fanny and Alexander, but also insightful readings of lesser-known works, such as Saraband and Sawdust and Tinsel.

An electronic edition of this book is freely available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence.

From the Back Cover

This collection presents the latest scholarship on legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. Appearing in the wake of Bergman's centenary year, it combines original approaches to his films and writings with new research on established themes.

Among the areas explored are Bergman's dealings with Hollywood and the use of autobiographical writing in his later work. Several chapters look at the director's sophisticated treatment of film music, while others offer new reflections on his interest in philosophy and psychology. There are analyses of aspects of Bergman's most famous films, including Smiles of a Summer Night, Persona and Fanny and Alexander, as well as insightful readings of lesser-known works, such as Saraband and Sawdust and Tinsel. The book closes with two chapters that consider Bergman's complicated relationship with Swedish politics.

Assembling an international group of distinguished film scholars, Ingmar Bergman: An enduring legacy demonstrates that there is still much to be said about this intriguing filmmaker, whose name remains synonymous with the cinematic artform more than a decade after his death.

About the Author

Erik Hedling is Professor Emeritus of Film Studies at Lund University, Sweden