“We are emotional illiterates. And this sad fact is not just about you and me, but practically everyone. We learn about our anatomies and how grain is cultivated in Pretoria, and about the square root of pi, or whatever it’s called, but not a word about the soul. We are infinitely, hopelessly incompetent when it comes to ourselves and other people.” In working on this play, the director and a multi-generational cast took a close look at Bergman’s idea of marriage. Could it still hold in today’s reality? How do people from several generations cope with relationships now, at various stages of their lives, and at various moments in their ties with another person? Does the institution of marriage still fit relationship models in the present age? Can we ever know more about love than we knew at the very beginning? Or perhaps, in spite of all the factors—age, life experience, social class, education—love just captures our heart? From the prevailing tale of romantic love, it can be hard to tease out small, conventional, and everyday stories. But it is those mundane stories that fill up our daily lives and make our emotions submit to the laws of gravity instead of drifting in a cosmic void, making them come crashing down to earth. What do we do then?

A deep, psychological vivisection of a relationship in its various stages, based on the film script by Bergman, plugged into today’s language of therapy, social media, and a conscious approach to emotions. The intertwining plots create a universal tale of love, jealousy, control, and subjugation. The circularity of this story is made quite tangible on the rotating stage and in the blood-red set design. The thoughtful use of cameras enhances the cinematic quality, and the actors enthrall with the emotional veracity of their performances. 

Gulda.poleca, e-teatr

We would like to express our gratitude to the Krakow Zoo for their help in the production of the film materials.

The play is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd, London, on behalf of the Ingmar Bergman Foundation.

http://www.josef-weinberger.com/

http://www.ingmarbergman.se/