• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

57th Chicago International Film Festival Capsule Review – Bergman Island

October 13, 2021 by Robert Kojder

Bergman Island, 2021.

Written and Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve.
Starring Tim Roth, Vicky Krieps, Mia Wasikowska, Anders Danielsen Lie, Wouter Hendrickx, Joel Spira, Clara Strauch, Hampus Nordenson, Anki Larsson, Kerstin Brunnberg, Melinda Kinnaman, and Stig Björkman.

SYNOPSIS:

A couple retreat to the island that inspired Ingmar Bergman to write screenplays for their upcoming films when the lines between reality and fiction start to blur.

Bergman Island begins with independent filmmakers Tony and Chris (Tim Roth and Vicky Krieps, respectively) starting their vacation (which doubles as a search for artistic inspiration) and heading into the Fårö summer resort, functioning as a museum for Ingmar Bergman.

It’s not necessarily a surprise, but Mia Hansen-Løve is also not here to gush over a cinematic icon. Plenty of characters do, including Tony, who seems to agree that it was okay for Bergman to be a lousy husband and father and all-around terrible idol since it was vital for crafting his beloved art. Naturally, Chris is, in addition to being stuck in a rut artistically, conflicted on how to feel.

Similar to interrogating aspects of Ingmar Bergman’s personal life rather than obsessive praise, Mia Hansen-Løve has other, far more intriguing ideas for further praying into the relationship dynamics at play. Essentially, the unsmooth waves of marriage and island experience foster enough creativity to overcome Chris’ writer’s block, taking us into a movie within a movie (or scenes within scenes from a marriage, if you will) centered on Amy (Mia Wasikowska) still madly in love with her high school sweetheart Joseph (Anders Danielsen Lie).

Mia Hansen-Løv has a handle on the bigger picture, even if for everyone else that might require another viewing or some more Ingmar Bergman knowledge. Most importantly, Bergman Island works on multiple wavelengths just as its narrative likewise operates on different planes; it’s terrific as a study of female writers carving out a reputation in the male-dominated industry, a relationship drama, a challenging assessment of Bergman separating art from the artist, and a fascinating piece of cinematic education. It sets itself up to go one way before transforming not once but twice, with characters difficult to label and pinpoint.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com

 

Filed Under: Festivals, Movies, Reviews, Robert Kojder Tagged With: Anders Danielsen Lie, Anki Larsson, Bergman Island, Chicago International Film Festival, Clara Strauch, Hampus Nordenson, Joel Spira, Kerstin Brunnberg, Melinda Kinnaman, Mia Hansen-Love, Mia Wasikowska, Stig Björkman, Tim Roth, Vicky Krieps, Wouter Hendrickx

About Robert Kojder

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

LEGO Star Wars at 20: The Video Game That Kickstarted a Phenomenon

What Will Amazon Do with James Bond?

10 Reasons Why Predator Is Awesome

The Film Feud of the 90s: Steven Seagal vs Jean-Claude Van Damme

MTV Generation-Era Comedies That Need New Sequels

The Essential Films of John Woo

Ranking Horror Movies Based On Video Games

Knight Rider: The Story Behind the Classic 1980s David Hasselhoff Series

10 Incredibly Influential Action Movies

Great TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon

Top Stories:

Great TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon

Harry Potter TV series begins production, shares first look at Harry and Hagrid

Movie Review – Eddington (2025)

Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Red Shirts #1

Movie Review – Saint Clare (2025)

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

Feel the Heat: 10 Uncomfortably Hot and Sweaty Films

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

7 Rotten Horror Movies That Deserve A Second Chance

Back to the Future at 40: The Story Behind the Pop Culture Touchstone

The Prisoner: The Classic British TV Series Revisited

The Most Iconic Cult Classics of All Time

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket