SAT—November 23—2 PM
$12 ($7 ASF Members)
169 min. In Swedish with English Subtitles.

Scenes From A Marriage explores the disintegration of the marriage between Marianne (Liv Ullmann), a family lawyer specializing in divorce, and Johan (Erland Josephson), spanning a period of 10 years. Despite seeming to have it all, Marianne and Johan’s happiness is a facade for a troubled relationship, one which becomes even rockier when Johan admits that he’s been having an affair. Before long, the spouses have separated and are moving towards finalizing their divorce, throughout attempts at reconciling. As they each pursue other relationships, Johan and Marianne realize that they still have a significant bond, though one complicated by many issues that hinder their ability to connect.

At once monumental and intimate, Scenes from a Marriage featured flawless, soul-baring performances from Ullmann and Josephson throughout the years of love and turmoil that bind Marianne and Johan in stages of matrimony, infidelity, divorce, and subsequent partnerships. Originally conceived as a six-part television miniseries, the shortened theatrical release version was chosen as the best film of the year by critic Roger Ebert and one of the best 10 films of the year by dozens of leading critics. Directed by Ingmar Bergman (Sweden, 1974)

“Shattering, touching, exhaustingly honest, with a sweep and candour that put American television — not to say movies — to shame.”—Newsweek

“One of the truest, most luminous love stories ever made.”—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) was a Swedish film and theatre director, writer, theater manager, dramatist and author. Bergman wrote or directed more than 60 films and 170 theatrical productions and authored over a hundred books and articles, and is today considered to be among the most acclaimed and influential filmmakers of all time.

Among his best-known works are the films The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries and Persona, as well as his autobiography The Magic Lantern. Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann appeared in nine of his films, as well as the television film Saraband.