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Directors / Bergman

(07/10/06)

Saraband...

I saw this a few days ago. Liv Ulmann, Erland Josephson and two others. Four actors only I think.

Liv Ulmann plays Marrianne, the long-estranged ex-wife of Erland Josephson's character, Johan, who is in his eighties. Börje Ahlstedt plays his son, Henrik, and Julia Dufvenius plays Henrik's 19 year old daughter. The only other character is Henrik's two-years-dead wife, Anna, who is badly missed. She is referred to constantly but we see her only in a photograph.

The acting performances here are superb - consistently emotionally believable. The themes are death, love, attachment... Father - son; father - daughter.

I have to admit that I liked it in my head, but something about it failed to convince. I don't know why.

It reminded me of Autumn Sonata (Hostsonanta) which again has four actors only, and takes place in a remote vicarage. I saw that again last night. Autumn Sonata explores a mother/daughter relationship. On the surface it's quite similar, but seemed to involve me and carry me along in a way that Saraband didn't.

However, a real surprise on the Tartan DVD I watched, was the little documentary on the making of the film. I usually ignore these, but this one was different. Watching Bergman, himself in his eighties, directing his actors with intimacy and clarity, was a revelation. There is one part where he is describing to the cast a little of what the film means to him, and his fears and hopes for his own death.

Don't get me wrong: Saraband is good and I'd certainly watch it again; it just had a peculiar effect on me: left me 'shaken but not stirred'. Got my head involved, but not my heart so much.