About Autumn Sonata

Autumn Sonata is a 1978 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman. The film tells the story of a celebrated classical pianist named Charlotte Andergast who visits her daughter Eva in her home. Upon arrival, Charlotte discovers that her other daughter Helena, who suffers from a degenerative disease, also lives with Eva. The reunion leads to a tense confrontation, as years of resentment and neglect rise to the surface. It is a highly dramatic film that touches on themes of love, resentment, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

Making/Production

Autumn Sonata is directed by renowned Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, the film was a collaborative effort between production companies from Sweden and West Germany. With a screenplay written by Bergman himself, the intimate drama was shot by cinematographer Sven Nykvist. The dialogues are in Swedish and are an emotional rollercoaster throughout.

Actors

• Ingrid Bergman as Charlotte Andergast: Masterful in her depiction of the self-centered successful pianist, mother to Eva and Helena.
• Liv Ullmann as Eva: A nuanced portrayal of the neglected, and terminally under-confident daughter of Charlotte. Ullmann brings a profound depth to the character.
• Lena Nyman as Helena: Despite the confines of the role of a severely ill woman, Nyman manages to deliver an amazing performance.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• This movie is the only collaboration between the renowned director Ingmar Bergman and the actress Ingrid Bergman (no relation).
• Ingrid Bergman was going through her own battle with breast cancer while filming this movie and sadly, it was her last feature film.
• The movie was filmed at two locations in Norway and in a studio in Sweden.

Awards

Autumn Sonata received several nominations, among which was the Best Actress Oscar nomination for Ingrid Bergman and the Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film also won the National Board of Review Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Quotes

• "I could always live in my art, but never in my life." - Charlotte Andergast.
• "Every tick of the clock measures out the death of the old and the birth of the new." - Eva.

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack mostly features classical music fitting with Ingrid Bergman's character being a successful concert pianist. This includes pieces by Chopin, Handel, and Bach.
• The centrepiece of the film's soundtrack is the Prelude in E minor by Chopin.