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Scandinavian Film Tendencies
The Autumn Sonata, directed by Ingmar Bergman, was chosen to analyze the film. First, it will be important to determine the features of Scandinavian films’ tendencies and highlight the characteristics of Autumn Sonata that correspond to these tendencies. First, Scandinavian films focus intensely on social realism and often deal with themes such as family dynamics, social inequality, and the human condition (Westerstahl, 2019). Second, they tend to be heavily influenced by the region’s natural landscapes and harsh climates (Westerstahl, 2019). Another characteristic of Scandinavian films is a tendency towards a minimalist aesthetic, focusing on naturalistic performances and a lack of sensationalism (Westerstahl, 2019). These factors make it clear that features of Scandinavian films are displayed not only in the film’s screenplay but also in the location of the filming, props, costumes, and many other attributes of the cinematography.
Reader’s Interest
The film Autumn Sonata has features that match Scandinavian film tendencies. First of all, it is essential to emphasize that the film’s plot is based on relationships in the main characters’ family. The director, Ingmar Bergman, pays considerable attention to the feelings of the film’s characters. This narrative correlates with the primary trend of Scandinavian film tendencies, social realism. Throughout the film, the protagonists, the mother, Charlotte Andergast, and her daughters, Eva and Helena, try to mend their family ties. In the film’s plot, there are frank conversations between the mother and her daughter Eva. They try to remember the past and understand the mistakes they have made between themselves. It is important to stress that this topic is close to everyone and awakens the reader’s interest. While watching the film, viewers can draw parallels with their relations with relatives and reflect on this topic.
Question
The research will focus on the characteristics of a film that takes place in a confined space. How does a director manage to keep the viewer’s interest without changing the film’s location, using the example of Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman?
Theory and Method
Film theory studies the visual and narrative techniques used in filmmaking. It examines how these techniques are used to create meaning and convey messages to audiences. Understanding film theory allows one to analyze and interpret films in a deeper and more meaningful way. Some key areas of film theory include semiotics, which examines the use of signs and symbols in the film, and psychoanalytic theory, which looks at how the unconscious mind is represented in film. Among others, one should highlight feminist theory, which examines the representation of gender and power in the film, genre theory, and auteur theory.
However, another theory, formalism, was chosen to analyze Autumn Sonata. This analysis method is based on the knowledge of David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, film scholars, and theorists. This approach emphasizes the visual and technical elements of the film, such as shot composition, editing, sound, and lighting, as the primary means of creating meaning in a film (Gray, 2020). Bordwell and Thompson argue that films should be analyzed as a system of signs and codes that the filmmaker uses to convey meaning. They identify several key elements of film form, such as shot scale, camera movement, and editing (Gray, 2020). One of the main ideas in Bordwell and Thompson’s approach is the concept of “film grammar” (Gray, 2020). It refers to the visual and audio techniques filmmakers use to tell stories and express meaning.
The choice of this particular method for analyzing Autumn Sonata is determined by the film’s location. Since Eva’s house is the leading and only venue throughout the film, it is crucial to consider in detail what symbols and signs the director has put into it. These approaches of formalism, such as the study of the film’s visual elements, shot composition, scale, and analysis of signs and codes, are essential tools for the qualitative analysis of the film Autumn Sonata.
Material
The film Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman was chosen for analysis. The film was shot in 1978 in Norway and is a drama (Santas & Wilson, 2018). The protagonists are a family of three, a mother, Charlotte Andergast, and two daughters, Eva and Helena (Bergman, 1978). The film takes place at Eva’s home, where her mother is invited by her daughter. Helena suffers from paralysis, but to surprise her mother and please her, Eva brings her to meet her mother. Throughout the film, a significant number of frank conversations between the mother and Eva occur, during which different feelings about their characters and memories from a previous life are revealed. In addition, the protagonists try to understand their feelings towards each other and find out the state of their family ties. The problems of family, social relations, and relationships between relatives are key in Autumn Sonata and cause viewers to reflect on their own lives.
Results
Using the theory of formalism, particularly the approach of David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, the film Autumn Sonata by Ingmar Bergman was analyzed. As the film takes place in Eva’s family home, considerable attention is paid to the location of the items in the cinematic scale, the use of props, and other interior elements. For example, the piano in the house acts as a transmitting sense object. While playing the piano, her mother, Charlotte, demonstrates her taste for music, while her daughter, Eva, realizes how far she has distanced herself from her mother (00.33.00 – 00.34.00, Bergman). In addition, it is essential to stress the importance of different times of the day in the context of family reconciliation. The night becomes a time for frank conversation between mother and daughter. At this time, the film’s characters become able to express their feelings to each other, cry, and are sincere (00.49.00 – 00.52.00, Bergman). It should be noted that the surrounding area and the time of day affect the characters of the film, forcing them to open from different sides.
Closing Discussion
After the analysis, it became clear how the director tries to keep the viewer’s attention with a limited variety of locations. However, a qualitative plot and cinematic work make this limitation an advantage. It is possible to put specific meanings to objects because the film takes place in a single house. In addition, the use of other factors, such as time of day, weather, and different room lighting, allows one to depict the same locations in different ways and to show the variety of characters. The conducted analysis relates to the theory of formalism since this approach involves studying the system of signs and codes, shot scale, and composition. For example, there are numerous scenes in which the characters’ faces are shown in close-up (00.32.40, Bergman). This approach made it possible to convey feelings at the finest level. In addition, the film Autumn Sonata is a striking representative of Scandinavian film tendencies, as it is based on family relationships, while the interior of the house and other film attributes are minimalist.
The film does not depict any particular historical events or occur in a specific historical setting. However, its importance to the people is significant in terms of people’s relationships. To study the film further, it will be vital to take advantage of other film theories to understand hidden meanings better. It can be such theories as psychoanalytic theory, feminist theory, or genre theory. Thanks to them, it will be possible to study the features of Autumn Sonata from other sides and better understand Ingmar Bergman’s design.
References
Bergman, I. (1978). Autumn Sonata [Film]. Filmédis.
Gray, G. (2020). Cinema: A visual anthropology. Routledge.
Santas, C., & Wilson, J. M. (2018). The essential films of Ingrid Bergman. Rowman & Littlefield.
Westerstahl, S. A. (2019). Nordic film cultures and cinemas of elsewhere. Edinburgh University Press.
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