MovieChat Forums > Saraband (2004) Discussion > Not much here to explain this movie.

Not much here to explain this movie.

posted 18 years ago by bruce-129
5 replies | jump to latest

I'm American, and speak only English, so I wonder if the subtitles were
difficult or was something missing or do I just not get it.

What was this movie about? Marianne? Johan? Karin? Henrik?
Why did he sleep in the same bed with his daughter? Was this incestuous?
Why a whole movie about incest then ... is it epidemic is Scandinavia?
I'm half kidding, because it was so bizarre, and yet interestingly
done and kind of compelling to wonder what is going on?

And what was the thing about the Mother's photo, everyone had the same
picture, and Johan had the damn thing enlarged for his study?

Is everyone "banging" everyone else out there in the boring country
or what?

I just wonder what was Bergman trying to see or show in this movie,
obivously just your opinions.

[–] deback 17 years ago

I just saw this movie and am wondering if Karin is actually the daughter of Anna and Johan.

[–] this_clay 12 years ago

This movie is a dysfunctional collage of poorly filmed, awkward scenes about old age, disloyalty and incest.
Pretentious people will see in it a masterpiece, while as indicated by the title it's only an average TV movie.
An obvious low in Bergman's career.

[–] jagheterjack00 12 years ago

It wasn't great! Not bad, but nothing to write home about.
Bergman annoyingly reapeated himself for nearly sixty years with his hammy writing style and themes. It was easier to get away with back in the 50s, 60s and 70s; but not nowadays.

[–] dwarol 11 years ago

Compared with "Scenes from a Marriage" there was very little repetition in "Saraband". In "Scenes" Marianne and Johan were deeply flawed, but they were still full of energy and hope, looking forward to life and not willing to settle for the status quo. By the time "Saraband" rolls around, both have lost most of their energy, having been worn down. They look backwards instead of forwards (which is why Marianne decided to visit Johan). These are two very different films with two very different themes.

Yes, this was the typical talky Bergman film. But I found the differences in the characterizations of this couple between the two films fascinating. Since I first saw "Scenes" in 1973 when I was young myself, and have aged the actual 30 (now 40) years in the film as well, there was a deep resonance in "Saraband" for me. I don't know if you are anywhere near 60, but if not I suspect you will feel differently by then.

[–] kenny-164 9 years ago

Dwarol,

Like you I found Saraband quite resonant. The obvious follow up to Scenes, it derives much of its value from a comparison of the two. In fact so much so that it is hard to imagine seeing it without first having seen Scenes.

I have only seen this film once, and I normally see Bergman films several times, so it is quite possible I may feel somewhat differently about it on future viewings. But my first view of it was affected also by recognizing how much Josephson and Ullmann themselves have changed in appearance and, especially in Josephson's case, a notable decline in vigor. Johan as played was always a somewhat phlegmatic, diffident sort. Perhaps that personality type is more prone to become less vital than otherwise in older age. But yes, worn down indeed. I also felt the comparison to be fascinating.