Includes: 'The beginning of some sort of memoir', 'Karin Bergman' and text about early music memories. Supplement 1: Loose sheets, copies of material relating to the children's song 'Riddaren Finn Konfusenfei'. International Book Club review: The Magic Lantern by Ingmar Bergman, creator of well-known movies such as Wild Strawberries, Scenes from a Marriage and Fanny and Alexander turns his perceptive filmmaker's eye on himself similar to a detective in search of any trivial evidence for a revealing portrait of his very personal aspect of life and obsessions with surrounding elements. Loose sheet: 'NOTE!: If I die or become incapacitated this material may in no respect be published, either in whole or in part.

In all, it is a great story of an artist and all the successes and failures that come with this chosen path as well as the childhood traumas, anxieties and even joys which shape this path.Sheets 18 x 22 cm + 1 loose sheet More grand mosaic than linear account, Bergman's vignettes trace his life from a rural Swedish childhood through his work in theater to Hollywood's golden age, and a tumultuous romantic history. If you're looking to dive into Bergman for this first time, this book may prepare you for what's ahead. First English edition hardback translated by Joan Tate, 1988, with unclipped jacket.

If you're a fan of Bergman, this is a must read. In fact, the way it is weaved into this book is actually pretty fascinating, as you'll discover parallels between some his personal stories and the specific films they inspired.

It plays out as only a Bergman film would.ĭespite what I wrote above, the book isn't lacking completely in commentary or background on his films or filmmaking. It is all told with a razor sharp wit and unrestrained honesty. It jumps around in time, and goes in and out of dreams and nightmares. He is also acknowledged as a major writer: his screenplays and autobiography Laterna Magica (The Magic Lantern) have been translated into more than 30. It is such a unique autobiography, as it is written and structured so similarly to the best of his screenplays: It seamlessly passes from comedy, to taboo, to cruelty, to tragedy. Instead, what you get in this book is the life story of a brilliant and very complex artist, narrated by a master storyteller. I would say that if you're looking for a book that is more of a deep dive by Bergman on his specific films, or film-by-film director's commentary, I would say you're probably looking for either Images: My Life in Film or (my preferred) Bergman on Bergman: Interviews with Ingmar Bergman.

The magic lantern an autobiography