About Ingrid Bergman In Her Own Words

"Ingrid Bergman in Her Own Words" is a captivating 2015 Swedish documentary film directed by Stig Björkman. The film offers an intimate portrayal of the iconic Swedish actress, Ingrid Bergman, through her personal letters, private photos and films. The movie uses selected diary entries, correspondence, personal archives and interviews with her children to build a unique retrospective on a woman who chose to live life in her own way.

Making / Production

The film was crafted meticulously by Stig Björkman, who interviewed Bergman's family members and collated an extensive amount of personal archives - from home movie footage, to photographs, to letters and diary entries. Björkman's vision takes a deep dive into the enigmatic life, career and relationships of Ingrid Bergman, creating a personal story that captures the essence of Bergman with a focus on her relentless pursuit of life and her nonconformist lifestyle.

Actors

• Ingrid Bergman: Although she never appears as herself, Bergman's spirit resonates throughout the movie. Her words are brought to life in voice-over form by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander.
• Alicia Vikander: Lends her voice to narrate the letters and diaries of Ingrid Bergman, capturing the beauty and turmoil of Bergman's life and career in her performance.
• Isabella, Roberto, and Pia Rossellini: Ingrid's children appear in the film, offering their own perspectives and memories of their mother, each adding their own unique angle to her portrayal.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The director Stig Björkman was initially approached by Isabella Rossellini to make a film about Ingrid Bergman's home movies. The idea, however, evolved and resulted in "Ingrid Bergman in Her Own Words".
• Most of the footage and photography used in the film was personally preserved by Bergman herself throughout her lifetime.

Awards

The movie received numerous accolades upon its release, including the nomination for the LUX Prize by the European Parliament in 2015.

Quotes

• "I was the shyest human ever invented, but I had a lion inside me that wouldn’t shut up!"
• "Happiness is good health and a bad memory."

Music, Soundtrack

• The harmony of the documentary was meticulously maintained through Michael Nyman's music, adding a depth of emotion to Bergman's life and story.
• The film also encapsulates the era of Bergman through its dynamic use of popular tunes from various periods of her life.