R.I.P. Ingmar Bergman July 31, 2007
Posted by elizabethwong in Art & Visuals, Note2Self, RIP.trackback
It began and ended at Valhalla (Glebe).
“I want God to stretch out His hand, uncover His face and speak to me.” (Seventh Seal, 1957)
Dialogue when Block meets Death. (Seventh Seal, 1957)
- Block: Who are you?
- Death: I am Death.
- Block: You have come for me?
- Death: I have been for a long time at your side.
- Block: I know.
- Death: Are you prepared?
- Block: My body is afraid, but I am not.
- [Death approaches Block.]
- Block: Wait a moment.
- Death: You all say that. But I give no respite.
- Block: You play chess, do you not? … As long as I resist you, I live. If I win, you set me free….
elizabeth wong 
I really love this article and its meaning. Wish you well in your game and try to checkmate. You don’t have to lose to the devil.
There is an article… a white woman staying all alone in the desert for years….loving that life as against where she can from..totally different and said ..there she can feel God. She accepts the muslim faith.
But to response to the post….I will again quote a famous Buddhist saying…..
LIFE is uncertain. DEATH is certain.
Ingmar Bergman was a fine fine actress of yesteryears. So beautiful and full of class. I think she did live a full long life. She loves dramas…not any silly movie stuffs all her life.
God bless her soul.
EW: Hey Monty – I think you’ve confused Ingrid with Ingmar. Ingrid passed away in 1982.
“My body is afraid, but I am not”. It can’t get anymore evocative than that. A pity they don’t make films like these anymore, isn’t it?
Thanks Liz….but was Ingmar Bergman known as Ingrid Thulin….before she joined the Bergman’s troupe?
Ingmar is a he. Ingrid Berman is the actress. and I don’t think she’s related to Ingmar. Ingrid Thulin is another Swedish actress who became one of Ingmar’s favorites.
Ingmar’s favorite actor is Liv Ullman who later directed a film using Ingmar’s script entitled “Faithless.” That film is beautiful. Heartbreaking but beautiful nonetheless.
As for Ingmar, he’s known to be one of the great auteurs–director and screenplay writer. The Seventh Seal is one of his most acclaimed films.
I find it eerie. And I wonder if Woody Allen was influenced by this film as this would explain Allen’s obsession with themes of death and life. In fact, Allen wrote a one-act play entitled “Death Knocks” that more or less reminds me of Seventh Seal. But that’s just me. 🙂
oh by the way, as i expected, woody allen wrote a wonderful article on bergman yesterday in nytimes.com. just sharing this bit.. 🙂