IFFI brings era of great Ingmar Bergman to Goa

Panaji, Nov 25 (UNI) He is great because his work transcends boundaries and touches the hearts of millions, lovers of Ingmar Bergman, one of the greatest artistes on celluloid, break into comments as they come out of the theatre.

''What he talks about is universal,'' they said after watching Bergman's Autumn Sonata, the first of his seven movies being screened as a tribute to him at the 38th International Film Festival of India(IFFI) here.

The movie tells the story of a famous pianist's relationship with her neglected daughter.

Eva, married to a countryman, is a reserved and timid person. She invites her mother, Charlotte to stay with her after a seven-year separation. Her mother is a concert pianist and pursuit of her career has led to prolonged separation from her family.

Having recently experienced the death of her husband, Charlotte is eager to rekindle her relationship with her daughter.

However, their congenial relationship is shortlived, as Eva finds herself ever thirsty for an emotional relationship with her mother as she realises her alienated affection.

The other films of Bergman being screened at IFFI are Fanny and Alexander, The Seventh Seak, The Virgin Spring, Through a Glass Darkly, Shame, and Wild Strawberries.

''We are proud of Bergman, and know you are too, and you know more about him,'' said the Swedish Ambassador to India, Lars Olof Lindgren, while presenting the film to the audience at IFFI.

Bergman, who died on July 30 this year at the age of 89, has direted over 50 films which in many ways set the standards for future filmmakers.

His films pose existential questions on morality, loneliness and examine the fragility of both life and faith.

Born in Uppsala on July 14, 1918, Bergman, when he was in school, traded a set of tin soldiers with a magic lantern, a possession that changed all his life. He then started playing with light and shadows, a process that culminated into him becoming a great cinema artiste for all time to come.

His association with films began with script writing in 1941. The breakthrough came in 1944 when he wrote the screenplay for Torment and assisted the director. His first major success came with Smiles of Summer Night in 1955. Since then, Bergman did not look back.

UNI