The Films of Ingmar Bergman : Illusions of Light and Darkness

Laura Hubner's book is among the first to analyze key films directed by Ingmar Bergman throughout his lifetime. Various kinds of "illusion" in Bergman's work (the mask, identity, dreams, and visions) are explored at both thematic and formal levels, positioned within wider concerns and perspectives such as cultural and artistic influences on Bergman's creative output, the phenomenon of Bergman as "art film" director, debates about modernism and postmodernism, and emerging feminist discourses on the multiplicity of identity. Hubner is one of the first to analyze 'illusion' (the mask, identity, dreams and visions) in key films by Bergman and position this within cultural and artistic influences on Bergman's creative output, the phenomenon of Bergman as 'art film' director, modernism and postmodernism, and emerging feminist discourses on the multiplicity of identity. Ingmar Bergman is seen as one of the world's greatest and prolific directors, having earned his status as indefatigable, unfaltering auteur. Throughout his long career, his films have conveyed, thematically and stylistically, various elements of illusion, including dreams, fantasies, nightmare visions, destabilized identity and the cinema as mask. The Films of Ingmar Bergman explores these diverse elements, in relation to broader concerns and perspectives, such as cultural and artistic influences on Bergman's creative output, the phenomenon of Bergman as 'art film' director, and film reception and criticism at key points in history, including debates about modernism, postmodernism and emerging feminist discourses on gender and multiplicity. Laura Hubner provides a fascinating insight into developments from some of Bergman's earliest, through to his last, films. She traces links between thematic and formal transitions towards subjectivity - dramatic shifts that challenge the concept of any one stable truth or reality Ingmar Bergman is seen as one of the world's greatest and most prolific directors, having earned his status as' indefatigable, unfaltering auteur. Throughout his long career, his films have conveyed, thematically and stylistically, various elements of illusion, including dreams, fantasies, nightmare visions, destabilized identity and the cinema as mask. The Films of Ingmar Bergman explores these diverse elements in relation to broader concerns and perspectives, such as cultural and artistic influences on Bergman's creative output, the phenomenon of Bergman as 'art film' director and film reception and criticism at key points in history, including debates about modernism, postmodernism and emerging feminist discourses on gender and multiplicity. Laura Hubner provides a fascinating insight into developments from some of Bergman's earliest films through to his last ones. She traces links between thematic and formal transitions towards subjectivity - dramatic shifts that challenge the concept of any one stable truth or reality Analyzes Key Films Directed By Ingmar Bergman Throughout His Lifetime. This Work Explores Various Kinds Of 'illusion' In Bergman's Work (the Mask, Identity, Dreams And Visions) At Both Thematic And Formal Levels. It Brings Forth The Phenomenon Of Bergman As 'art Film' Director. It Also Includes Debates About Modernism And Postmodernism. The Mask And Identity: Summer Interlude's Legacy -- Female Defiance: Dreams Of Another World In Summer With Monika And The Early Films -- Religion, Truth And Symbolism From The Seventh Seal To The Silence -- Persona: Cinema As Mask -- Dreams, Fantasies And Nightmare Visions -- Conclusion: Celebrating The Illusion. Laura Hubner. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-174) And Index. Includes Filmography. Cover 1 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 7 1 Introduction 8 2 The Mask and Identity: Summer Interlude's Legacy 20 3 Female Defiance: Dreams of Another World in Summer with Monika and the Early Films 37 4 Religion, Truth and Symbolism from The Seventh Seal to The Silence 54 5 Persona: Cinema as Mask 77 6 Dreams, Fantasies and Nightmare Visions 99 7 Conclusion: Celebrating the Illusion 124 Notes 150 Bibliography 174 Filmography 182 Index 189 A 189 B 189 C 189 D 190 E 191 F 191 G 191 H 192 I 192 J 192 K 192 L 192 M 193 N 193 O 193 P 193 Q 194 R 194 S 194 T 195 U 195 V 195 W 196 Y 196 Laura Hubner is one of the first critics to analyse the elements of 'illusion' in key films by Bergman and relate these to cultural and artistic influences on his creative output, the phenomenon of Bergman as 'art film' director, and debates about modernism, postmodernism and emerging feminist discourses on gender and multiplicity. Various kinds of 'illusion' in Ingmar Bergman's work are explored at both thematic and formal levels, positioned within wider concerns and perspectives such as cultural and artistic influences on Bergman's creative output