Broadway Cinema are showcasing the work of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time...
To mark the centenary of his birth, Broadway Cinema are hosting seven films from the career of legendary Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. The eclectic selection will feature some of the biggest films of a career that spanned eight decades and produced over forty feature films, kicking off on Thursday 5th April with The Magic Flute...
The Magic Flute (1975)
"I shall rescue her. I swear by my love."
Thursday 5th April, 8.30pm - with English Subtitles
Starring: Josef Köstlinger, Irma Urrila and Håkan Hagegård
Running time: 137 min
Bergman's screen adaptation of Mozart's famous opera sees The Queen of the Night enlist a handsome prince named Tamino to rescue her beautiful kidnapped daughter, Princess Pamina. Aided by the lovelorn bird hunter Papageno and a magical flute that holds the power to change the hearts of men, young Tamino embarks on a quest for true love, leading to the evil Sarastro's temple where Pamina is held captive.
Did you know? Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Sven Nykvist and Ingmar Bergman can all be seen in the audience during the Overture.
The Seventh Seal (1957)
"We must make an idol of our fear, and call it god."
Sunday 8th April, 1.00pm - with English Subtitles
Starring: Max von Sydow, Bengt Ekerot and Nils Poppe
Running time: 96 min
When disillusioned Swedish knight Antonius Block returns home from the Crusades to find his country in the grips of the Black Death, he challenges Death to a chess match for his life. Tormented by the belief that God does not exist, Block sets off on a journey, meeting up with traveling players Jof and his wife, Mia, and becoming determined to evade Death long enough to commit one redemptive act while he still lives.
Did you know? The chess pieces used in the movie were sold in 2009 for 1m Swedish Krona (around £86,000).
Wild Strawberries (1957)
"When your were little you belived in Santa Claus, now you belive in God."
Sunday 22nd April, 1.00pm - with English Subtitles
Starring: Victor Sjöström, Bibi Andersson and Ingrid Thulin
Running time: 91 min
Crotchety retired doctor Isak Borg travels from Stockholm to Lund, Sweden, with his pregnant and unhappy daughter-in-law, Marianne, in order to receive an honorary degree from his alma mater. Along the way, they encounter a series of hitchhikers, each of whom causes the elderly doctor to muse upon the pleasures and failures of his own life. These include the vivacious young Sara, a dead ringer for the doctor's own first love.
Did you know? Wild Strawberries is one of Soviet director Andrei Tarkovsky's 10 favourite films.
Summer With Monika (1953)
"You're so sweet, not like the others at all. Like right out of a movie!"
Sunday 23rd April, time TBC - with English Subtitles
Starring: Harriet Andersson, Lars Ekborg and Dagmar Ebbesen
Running time: 96 min
Disillusioned young city-dweller Harry is frustrated with his societal responsibilities and his menial job, but when he meets sultry beauty Monika, and she takes an interest in him, life takes on new meaning. Inflamed with passion, the lovers steal Harry's father's boat and give up their banal city life for an erotic summer spent on an island. There, Monika teaches Harry to give up his inhibitions, and all is good - until Monika's true nature is revealed.
Did you know? It's a poster of Harriet Anderson in Summer With Monika that the kid steals from the cinema in Truffaut's 400 Blows.
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
"For the sad, the depressed, the sleepless, the confused, the frightened, the lonely..."
Tuesday 24th April, time TBC - with English Subtitles
Starring: Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck and Harriet Andersson
Running time: 108 min
Early in the 20th century, middle-aged lawyer Fredrik Egerman his young wife, Anne, have still not consummated their marriage, while Fredrik's son finds himself increasingly attracted to his new stepmother. To make matters worse, Fredrik's old flame Desiree makes a public bet that she can seduce him at a romantic weekend retreat where four couples convene, swapping partners and pairing off in unexpected ways.
Did you know? At the end of the shoot, Ingmar Bergman weighed just 57kg.
Persona (1966)
"The important thing is the effort, not what we achieve."
Sunday 29th April, time TBC - with English Subtitles
Starring: Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann and Margaretha Krook
Running time: 83 min
Famed stage stress Elisabeth Vogler suffers a moment of blankness during a performance and the next day lapses into total silence. Advised by her doctor to take time off to recover from what appears to be an emotional breakdown, Elisabeth goes to a beach house on the Baltic Sea with only Anna, a nurse, as company. Over the next several weeks, as Anna struggles to reach her mute patient, the two women find themselves experiencing a strange emotional convergence.
Did you know? Ingmar Bergman later admitted that it was during the filming of Persona that he first fell in love with Liv Ullmann
Cries & Whispers (1972)
"It's a web of lies, all of it."
Monday 30th April, time TBC - with English Subtitles
Starring: Harriet Andersson, Kari Sylwan and Ingrid Thulin
Running time: 91 min
As Agnes slowly dies of cancer, her sisters are so deeply immersed in their own psychic pains that they can't offer her the support she needs. Maria is wracked with guilt at her husband's suicide, caused by his discovery of her extramarital affair. The self-loathing, suicidal Karin seems to regard her sister with revulsion. Only Anna, the deeply religious maid who lost her young child, seems able to offer Agnes solace and empathy.
Did you know? The only Best Picture Oscar nominee that year not to be nominated in any of the acting categories.
More information and tickets can be found on the Broadway Cinema website
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
