Starring Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck and Harriet Andersson
Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman
Sweden 1955
108 mins
Happy New Year!
Ingmar Bergman is one of the most celebrated directors of all time - his intense, soul searching dramas get to the heart of the human condition. His movies are considered to be profoundly influential stylistically - he is undoubtedly one of the most original and distinctive auteurs in world cinema.
Bergman's films are often serious not to say sombre and although sometimes uplifting they are unflinching in their portrayal of our behaviours and misbehaviours...
In 'Smiles Of A Summer Night' we see a very different side of this great Swedish artist. This is a delicate, witty and charming romantic comedy following the antics of four pairs of lovers in a country house on Midsummer's night - the shortest night of the year in Scandinavia and traditionally a night of partying till dawn.
Bergman demonstrates a supremely light touch with the action and characterisation as the couples switch partners in an effort to resolve their differences and dilemmas.
Sublimely shot by Gunnar Fischer - a regular Bergman collaborator who lensed the director's classic historical fantasy 'The Seventh Seal' - with its iconic chess game between Death and Max Von Sydow's knight.
'Smiles Of A Summer Night' was the inspiration for Woody Allen's 'A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy' and for the Stephen Sondheim musical 'A Little Night Music'.
As we begin 2020 and the days at last start to get longer don't miss this summery, bawdy gem from a master filmmaker.
