Bergman Island (2021) is an enchanting English-language drama starring Tim Roth and Vicky Krieps as Chris and Tony Sanders, an American couple visiting Fårö Island off the coast of Sweden. Once the sanctuary for Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, Fårö provides Chris and Tony the space to pursue their individual writing work as part of a residency program sponsored by the Bergman Estate.
A filmmaker and screenwriter, Tony takes the opportunity to deliver a private screening of his latest film to local cinephiles while Chris explores the island and struggles with her own screenplay—unable to determine a satisfactory fate for her female protagonist. Upon request, Chris describes her partial screenplay to Tony—the film delving into Chris' story as a film-within-a-film starring Mia Wasikowska and Anders Danielsen Lie as estranged lovers reuniting at the wedding of mutual friends.
Written and directed by French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve (Eden, Things to Come), Bergman Island is a charming depiction of creativity, highlighted by finely naturalistic performances by all four leads. Hansen-Løve's storytelling style adds nuance and deep emotional undertones while capturing the challenges and triumphs of the artistic process. Understated yet warmly absorbing, it's a touching depiction of artistry within a uniquely historical and inspired setting.
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