Ingmar Bergman: The Formative Years (1918-56)

FAIN: FA-11446-76

Birgitta K. Steene
University of Washington (Seattle, WA 98195-1016)

A biographical study of Swedish film-maker Ingmar Bergman from the year of his birth (1918) to his international breakthrough (1956). Grantee will focus on three areas of Bergman's life: 1. his childhood and adolescence. For this, Bergman and his family will be interviewed. 2. The Strindberg Syndrome. Strindberg remains the most basic influence on the young Bergman. Grantee is to study the Strindbergian elements in Bergman's early plays and his first experiences as a theatre director. 3. The hermetic nature of Swedish society during the Second World War, the Angst ridden climate of 1943-1945, Bergman’s literary and cinematic debuts and his first two marriages will also be examined.