Skammen  

English title: Shame

Genre: relationship and war drama (in black and white)

With: Liv Ullmann (Eva), Max von Sydow (Jan Rosenberg, her husband), Gunnar Björnstrand (Jacobi), Sigge Fürst (Filip), Hans Alfredson (Fredrik Lobelius)

Director: Ingmar Bergman

Screenplay: Ingmar Bergman

Release: 1968

Studio: Cinematograph AB, Svensk Filmindustri (SF)

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.4/10

On the Fierceness of Wars, Whether Collective or Private  

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Story-line: Scandinavia, the 1960s. Eva and Jan, former musicians who have settled down on an island to farm and live in peace, are subjected to increasing pressure when civil war on the mainland threatens to spill over into their part of the world.

Pluses: superior performances by Liv Ullmann (a fiery Eva), Max von Sydow (a quieter, mostly fragile Jan) and Gunnar Björnstrand, expert direction from a master helmer, a realistic, chilling and somewhat apocalyptic screenplay about civilians dealing with armed conflict, Sven Nykvist's usually excellent camera work, adequate production values and an intriguing ending.

Minuses: none really but, this being a Bergman, you should expect very serious and slightly depressing fare.

Comments: although it broaches typical Bergman themes (personality issues, communication problems, marital woes and death), SKAMMEN takes place in a surprisingly different context that exacerbates the fickle relationship between Eva and Jan – who had fallen into a familiar routine – and pushes them toward uncharted territory. This Bergman also shuns symbolism to focus on basic survival issues. As for the titular shame, you will feel it yourselves when you see how war compromises all characters involved, even those who never wanted to get their hands dirty. What a mess…



In tribute to Max von Sydow (1929-2020)





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