I meant to blog about this Monday night when it was a little more timely, but this week has been crazy busy for me at work. The time has passed, but I still feel obliged to post at least something.
For those of you who don't know, Ingmar Bergman died Monday at the age of 89. He's known as "one of the greatest artists in cinema history" (AP).
It's rather interesting how I fell upon that article on Monday. I had been reading something for work entirely unrelated. Then later this week while in Home Depot, I ran into a man from Sweden with his two kids. He and I had a short, but enjoyable chat. I ran into him maybe an hour later further down the street as I was leaving another store. Funny how if I hadn't have fell in love with movies like Winter Light and Kitchen Stories (not a Bergman film) I probably wouldn't have recognized the language he was speaking to his children and been compelled to strike up a conversation.
To be honest, it's kind of perplexing to me, Bergman's death. I mean, I didn't know the man or have any formidably strong connection with him, nor do I possess any great deal of knowledge about his history...and yet I feel as though something is missing. I suppose it's the feeling that I've lost some sort of opportunity. An opportunity I can't quite explain in words at the moment.
It's true, I studied film for a small portion of my undergrad experience, but I've only seen three of Berman's films:
Smultronstället (Wild Strawberries)
Sjunde inseglet, Det (The Seventh Seal)
Nattvardsgästerna (Winter Light)
That being said, I've enjoyed all three. And many of you know that Winter Light is one of my most favorite films. (Thank you Jared for introducing it to me, and thank you Mom for getting it for me as a birthday gift last year.)
Perhaps I should just close the post by saying how much I love film's ability and power to communicate on such a deep and beautiful level. Mr Bergman, thank you for expressing and sharing with us a piece of what it means to be human.
2 comments:
Dang, you made the memorial post before I could.
Yes, but I'm sure you have some different things to say.
You've seen more of his films, and have had different experiences with them. I know you have some enlightening things to say that I didn't.
but...if you don't post something, at least your name is included in my post.
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