Ernst Ingmar Bergman was one of cinema’s brightest luminaries - a prolific filmmaker; the greatest film artist that ever lived; a pioneer. This, over time, has been clearly established, and only the ignorant would doubt it.

Aside from theatrical and cinematic achievements, Bergman was a notable commentator on human nature. As famed Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski once said: “This man is one of the few film directors—perhaps the only one in the world—to have said as much about human nature as Dostoevsky or Camus.” And one of his popular subjects, whom he studied, interpreted and beautifully captured were the womenfolk.

Bergman and the Women, presented by the Swedish embassy together with the Swedish Institute explored seven very important films, wherein the director delves into and unravels the intricacies of the fairer sex. The screenings were held at The Arts House in Singapore, one of island’s very few venues that support and screen arthouse, independent and world cinema.

Bergman knew his women all too well. He had a very close relationship with his mother who he affectionately recalls in the documentary Bergman Island. His relationships with his leading actresses Harriet Anderson, Bibi Anderson and Liv Ullmann were a hot topic for the press in Sweden back in the day. He even fathered an illegitimate daughter - the famed writer Linn Ullmann - with Liv. Apart from his starlets, he fell blindly in love with four other women, whom he married and divorced one after another, until he finally met Ingrid von Rosen. His marriage with Ingrid lasted twenty-four years until her demise in 1995 after a long struggle with stomach cancer.

In his prime, Bergman was a flamboyant and talented young man. And he wasn’t simply a womanizer; he had a profound understanding of these women. That should explain his inspirations for his female characters and the films about them, most of which he wrote himself. Of the eight films screened as part of Bergman and the Women, the only odd one out (as not being directed by Ingmar Bergman) was a documentary - Bergman Island.

Bergman Island, directed by Marie Nyreröd - who formed a close bond with Bergman - takes place almost entirely on Faro, a little island in the Baltic Sea which Bergman calls home. In it he describes, with the aid of visuals, his first trip to the island in 1960. He shot many of his films in Faro, and cultivated a binding relationship with the island and its residents, who he says are very understanding of his need to be left alone. This is the first time that anyone had open access to Bergman’s private life - his home, his screening room, his Russian-style fireplace, his first cinematograph, and in his own words he describes the inspiration for his films, his childhood, his parents, his love life, views on religion and his worst-feared natural demons. The film portrays Bergman as a funny, jovial man - with mighty experiences and a sea of wisdom - who also believes his departed wife Ingrid is waiting for him at the pearly gates. The film was released in 2004.

Ingmar Bergman passed away peacefully on 30th July 2007, aged 89. He was buried in Faro. At the request of his children, the Swedish authorities who very rarely facilitate such an arrangement agreed for Ingrid’s grave and her remains to be transported to Faro from its previous burial ground. The couple were reunited in death in May 2008.

Since his demise, there have been numerous tributes and festivals celebrating Bergman’s films and theater productions. Bergman and the Women brings to light his gorgeous, leading female stars, and his peculiar, inscrutable female characters through the magic of the lens and the silver screen.

Films screened as part of the festival include:
Summer with Monika (Sommaren med Monika) - 1952
Secrets of Women (Kvinnors vantan) - 1952
Dreams (Kvinnodrom) - 1955
Brink of Life (Nara livet) - 1958
To Say Nothing About These Women (For att inte tala om alla dessa kvinnor) - 1964
Cries And Whispers (Viskningar och rop) - 1973
Autumn Sonata (Hostsonaten) - 1978