SARABAND
Also present on the property is Henrik, Johan's son from an earlier marriage. Henrik is staying in the
lake cottage with his daughter Karin. His beloved wife and Karin's mother Anna has been dead for
two years, but her presence is still intensely palpable. Henrik has not managed to get over Anna's
death. He took early retirement from his position at Uppsala University and is devoting himself now to
writing a book about Bach's St. Johan Passion and giving his daughter cello lessons. Karin is very
gifted and plans to try out for the conservatory. All summer they have been working together to
prepare for her audition. Henrik also plays in a little chamber orchestra in Uppsala.
Johan's relations with his son Henrik have always been tense and complicated, but he had a warm
and close relationship with his daughter-in-law Anna, and he, too, misses her terribly.
Marianne's sudden appearance and presence unleashes the hidden power struggle that has been
going on around Karin. Karin seeks out Marianne and begins to talk about Henrik, about her beloved
dead mother and her very complicated and oppressive existence living with her father.
A powerful contemporary drama about the struggle for power, liberation, and reconciliation. --
© Sony Pictures Classics
lake cottage with his daughter Karin. His beloved wife and Karin's mother Anna has been dead for
two years, but her presence is still intensely palpable. Henrik has not managed to get over Anna's
death. He took early retirement from his position at Uppsala University and is devoting himself now to
writing a book about Bach's St. Johan Passion and giving his daughter cello lessons. Karin is very
gifted and plans to try out for the conservatory. All summer they have been working together to
prepare for her audition. Henrik also plays in a little chamber orchestra in Uppsala.
Johan's relations with his son Henrik have always been tense and complicated, but he had a warm
and close relationship with his daughter-in-law Anna, and he, too, misses her terribly.
Marianne's sudden appearance and presence unleashes the hidden power struggle that has been
going on around Karin. Karin seeks out Marianne and begins to talk about Henrik, about her beloved
dead mother and her very complicated and oppressive existence living with her father.
A powerful contemporary drama about the struggle for power, liberation, and reconciliation. --
© Sony Pictures Classics
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
NOT REVIEWED Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 07/29/05 Home Video Not Available MPAA Rating Rated R - for brief nudity, language and a violent image Running Time 2 hours Genre Foreign Film, Swedish, Divorce Director Ingmar Bergman Cast Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Borje Ahlstedt Studio Sony Picture Classics |
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY Brenda S. Ladd & Mary K. Morgan |
SYNOPSIS
After their divorce, Johan and Marianne lost touch for
many, many years. Johan, now a retired professor, has
withdrawn to his grandparents' summerhouse in the
western province of Dalarna. He bought the house after
inheriting a minor fortune from a Danish aunt, a
once-famous opera singer. Here he leads a solitary life
with his books and a housekeeper.
Marianne, who has continued her practice as a family
and divorce lawyer, suddenly decides to look up Johan
and break through his isolation. Neither of them keeps
up regular contact with their daughters, Sara, married
and living in Australia, and Martha, who is ill and confined
to a nursing home.
One beautiful autumn day Marianne stands looking at
Johan as he dozes in a lawn chair. She goes up and
wakes him with a soft kiss, and after thirty-two years of
separation they now begin several intense weeks
together.
After their divorce, Johan and Marianne lost touch for
many, many years. Johan, now a retired professor, has
withdrawn to his grandparents' summerhouse in the
western province of Dalarna. He bought the house after
inheriting a minor fortune from a Danish aunt, a
once-famous opera singer. Here he leads a solitary life
with his books and a housekeeper.
Marianne, who has continued her practice as a family
and divorce lawyer, suddenly decides to look up Johan
and break through his isolation. Neither of them keeps
up regular contact with their daughters, Sara, married
and living in Australia, and Martha, who is ill and confined
to a nursing home.
One beautiful autumn day Marianne stands looking at
Johan as he dozes in a lawn chair. She goes up and
wakes him with a soft kiss, and after thirty-two years of
separation they now begin several intense weeks
together.