Film: Fanny & Alexander
Director: Ingmar Bergman
Country: Sweden
Released: December 1982
Runtime: 188 minutes (Theatrical Cut)
Genre: Drama
Studio: Cinematograph AB
Influenced: Lars Von Trier, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Jane Campion, Guillermo del Toro, Lynne Ramsay
After building a reputation for darkly introspective and philosophical films, Bergman felt a desire later in his filmmaking career to create a more personal and emotionally rich work, and Fanny & Alexander was inspired by his own childhood experiences. The film is also one of Bergman's most expansive films in terms of scope and length (the theatrical cut is 3hrs+ and the TV version 5hrs+), while also being a departure in terms of its aesthetic (colourful and sumptuous vs black & white and minimalist) and its large ensemble cast. Set in Uppsala during the early 20th century, Fanny & Alexander's story revolves around the lives of the Ekdahl family, particularly the two young siblings, Fanny (Pernilla Allwin) and Alexander (Bertil Guve). The Ekdahls are a well-to-do theatrical family known for their cultural pursuits and lively gatherings.
While family dynamics and the complexities of human relationships were common themes in Bergman's films, Fanny & Alexander places a stronger emphasis on childhood and delves deeply into the imaginative power, the fears and the wonder of being young. The story unfolds in two distinct parts: Part One (The Ekdahl House) and Part Two (The Bishop's House). The film begins with Christmas celebrations at the Ekdahl household, a family shown to be a close-knit and loving group. Fanny and Alexander, the children of the theatre director Oscar Ekdahl and his wife Emilie, enjoy a joyful and carefree existence surrounded by their large extended family. However, tragedy strikes when their father suddenly dies, leaving their mother, Emilie, devastated. Shortly after, she marries the stern and oppressive Bishop Vergérus, who becomes their stepfather.
In the second part, the focus shifts to the Bishop's austere residence, starkly different from the Ekdahl's warm and artistic home, and where the children endure emotional and physical abuse. Emilie becomes isolated and unhappy, and the situation becomes more oppressive for the whole family as the Bishop's tyrannical nature is revealed. Driven by the determination to escape their miserable life, the children seek help from a local Jewish antique dealer, Isak Jacobi (Erland Josephson), who becomes an important figure in their lives. The story takes on a magical and mysterious tone as Isak imparts wisdom to Alexander and helps the siblings cope with their hardships. The climax, where the children devise a plan to escape the Bishop's house and find their way back to happiness, is brilliantly realised by Bergman.
As well as for its rich storytelling and innovative cinematography, Fanny & Alexander has also been widely celebrated for Bergman's seamless ability to blend reality and fantasy, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Sven Nykvist's cinematography captures the contrasting worlds of the Ekdahls and the Bishop's household, using lighting and framing to enhance the emotional impact of the scenes. The mystical elements, including Alexander's visions and encounters with the ghost of his father, also add a unique and imaginative dimension to the film. Fanny & Alexander received widespread critical acclaim on its release and won four Oscars, including Best Foreign Language Film. The film also solidified Bergman's position as one of the most influential directors in history.
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