Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words

Casablanca, Notorious, Voyage to Italy… That Ingrid Bergman, three-time Oscar winner, is one of filmdom’s all-time greats is inarguable. Narrated by Swedish (and now Hollywood) star Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Stig Björkman’s intimate exploration of Bergman’s personal and professional life benefits immensely from the cooperation of Bergman’s children, especially daughter Isabella Rossellini, who allowed him access to never-before-seen private footage, notes, letters, diaries and interviews.

The centenary of Bergman’s birth—she was born on August 29, 1915—has led to a worldwide celebration of her life and art. In New York alone, both MOMA (a retrospective) and BAM (a tribute) are commemorating the anniversary, and the Cannes Film Festival made her the "cover girl" for its 2015 catalogue and posters. Of course, the love the world feels for her now was not always the case: when, at the peak of her popularity, she left her husband and family to be with director Roberto Rossellini, the scandal was such that the US Senate, no less, said that she was, "a powerful influence for evil."

Bergman was an avid photographer and behind-the-scenes amateur moviemaker, and it shows here—the richly evocative visual record she left behind speaks to a life lived to its fullest, without compromise or pretension. Björkman’s lovely homage is a multicoloured portrait of an extraordinary human being that will delight fans and make converts of anyone harbouring doubts. Don’t miss it!