Fanny and Alexander

Foreign films are not really my thing, but this time the critics were right. This has got to be one of the most artistic films I have ever watched.

Fanny and Alexander if the semi-autobiographical movie written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. Released in 1982. This is the story of two children, as titled, of father Oscar and mother Emilie in the early 1900's of Sweden. Oscar, the beloved owner of a theater dies and the mother Emilie marries a local bishop. The bishop and his family are minimalists in a Puritan like deity. The children having lived in the artistically rich theatrical world of their father and grandmother don't fit very well. The are immediate conflicts between Alexander and the bishop. Eventually the the mother Emilie escapes with the children and the bishop dies in a terrible accidental fire. The children return to the luxurious home of their grandmother the beautiful farmer actress.

 

The cast was unknown to me though I felt the parts played by the grandmother and mother Emilie were excellent, not to mention the work of Bertil Guve who played Alexander. In the cast as Rosa played the actress Lena Olin still active today in Hollywood.

 

In 1984 this movie won 4 Oscars.

• Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
• Best Cinematography
• Best Costume Design
• Best Foreign Language Film

and was nominated for 2 more awards

• Best Director
• Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Very strong work by Bergman, take to time to watch you will not be disappointed.

 

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