The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in association with Sydney Film Festival and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is delighted to announce Essential Bergman: Selected by David Stratton, a retrospective season of works by Swedish master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman curated by David Stratton.
Showcasing ten Bergman titles hand-picked by Australia’s renowned film critic and broadcaster, the program features some of cinema’s most important and iconic titles, including The Seventh Seal, Persona, Wild Strawberries and Cries and Whispers.
“Ingmar Bergman changed my life,” wrote Stratton in his introduction to the program. “When I saw Smiles of a Summer Night on October 31, 1957, at the Birmingham (UK) Film Society, my concept of cinema altered forever… I found in Bergman’s film aspects of cinema I’d never experienced before – emotion, truth, pain, lust – all presented in the most elegant of wrappings.”
Commenting on Essential Bergman, ACMI Director & CEO Katrina Sedgwick said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Sydney Film Festival and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. It’s wonderful to have David Stratton’s exceptional eye curating this program of films from one of the world’s greatest auteurs, and to be able to support the tour of stunning 35mm prints that will travel around the country through this partnership.”
Essential Bergman: Selected by David Stratton features:
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
The Virgin Spring (1959)
The Silence (1963)
Persona (1966)
Cries and Whispers (1972)
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Saraband (2003)
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Wild Strawberries (19570
The Face (1958)
The recently retired co-host of ABC TV’s long-running At the Movies will discuss the seminal works of Bergman in a special event, Stratton on Bergman at ACMI on Thursday 18 June 2015. Stratton will survey the Swedish filmmaker’s catalogue of films and examine the impact of one of cinema’s most influential creators.
ACMI will also offer aspiring young filmmakers the chance to spend a remarkable hour with Stratton discussing the art of film criticism. Reviewing Bergman: Masterclass with David Stratton is presented as part of Intermix, ACMI’s program for young people aged 15 – 25 proudly supported by Naomi Milgrom AO.
Essential Bergman: Selected by David Stratton
Thursday 11 June – Sunday 28 June 2015
Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne
www.acmi.net.au/essential-bergman
