Ingmar Bergman He is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema, and it is difficult to overstate his influence on modern filmmaking. Directors as diverse as Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and Quentin Tarantino would not be themselves as directors without Bergman’s hand, and for many generations, the Swedish director’s films have been the The definition of serious art cinema.
But as is often the case, Bergman’s influence is so broad that audiences come to the director after years or even decades of watching his imitators, it’s easy to overlook the influence of Bergman’s original, innovative, and groundbreaking films. So below we take a look at why Bergman became such an iconic figure in the world of movies and why he is still considered by many to be the best of all time.
Innovation and experimentation
As any Robert Mackie aide can tell you, most movies, Hollywood or otherwise, rely on the same simple, repeatable structure to tell a story. Back in ancient Greece, a relatively straightforward 3D structure dominated, and even today, the vast majority of films, both mainstream and independent, are still based on it.
In movies like wolf persona watch, And Wild strawberryDespite this, Bergman discarded all of that, and most ideas about films’ beginnings, middles, and endings altogether, in pursuit of a more organic structure. Instead, Bergman cements his stories with a predetermined arc, letting each of his films find their own path based on their own unique characters, themes, and aesthetic ideas.
This may be Bergman’s most underappreciated contribution to cinema, and even to audiences who have completely absorbed the traditional structure, it’s an innovation that’s almost invisible when done well, so perfectly integrated with other aspects of the films. However, movies like eraserAnd Holy EnginesAnd The hidden charm of the bourgeoisieIt wouldn’t be the same without Bergman’s model.
Emotions and psychology
It can be easy to overlook the extent to which the structure of Bergman’s films is shaped by the emotions and psyches of his characters because in his films, there is almost nothing that these things don’t control. This is true of realistic biographical films such as Fanny and Alexander and dense allegorical dramas such as The seventh seal Both.
The miracles and marvels of Bergman’s films (horrors and tragedies too) emerge from his intense psychological exploration of the human condition. Bergman explored subjects as complex and challenging as any filmmaker before him, exploring themes such as death, faith, and relationships, with a fearless fidelity to the truth of these as he felt them, demonstrating a deep understanding of human emotions and the psychology around which everything else should revolve.
Mastering the craft
Like many of the all-time greats in cinema, from Kubrick to Spielberg, Bergman was a master of his craft, with a deep understanding of the technical aspects of filmmaking. In movies like Screams and whispersAnd wolf watchhis greatest achievement, a personalityThanks to the truly outstanding technical skill of him and his collaborators, Bergman is able to capture the extremes of human experience.
Perhaps most recognized is his meticulous attention to detail and ability to create powerful visual images that convey complex emotions and ideas in the intertwined faces of the director’s frequent collaborators, actresses Liv Ullman and Bebe Anderson, as both the actress and patron of a personality They gradually begin to integrate their consciousness.
Ingmar Bergman films
In the end, of course, the real reason Bergman is considered perhaps the greatest director of all time is that he has an impressive number of masterpieces under his belt. With nine of his films on Sight and Sound’s 2022 list of the greatest films of all time, his work alone could fill a perfectly acceptable approach to film history.
His absolute masterpieces include The seventh sealAnd Wild strawberry (released the same year!), through darkened glassAnd wolf watchAnd winter lightAnd SilenceAnd a personalityAnd ShameAnd Screams and whispersAnd Scenes from a marriageAnd Fanny and AlexanderAnd Sarbanda is an ancient dance, and more. These, after all, are the reasons why Ingmar Bergman is considered one of the greatest directors of all time.
The continuing Bergman effect
Bergman’s films have had a long-lasting influence on the development of modern cinema. Many filmmakers have cited him as a major influence on their work, and his ideas and techniques are still being studied and emulated today.
In fact, many of its hallmarks have gotten a bit of a bad rap, with the use of black and white, intense emotion, and idiosyncratic shot composition becoming associated with art film ambition thanks to the wave of less-talented imitators. inspired movies. As this connection wanes over time, Bergman’s reputation is set to rise further as he makes his way to the Forever.
