Private Confessions (1996)

Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, ... See full summary »

Director:

Liv Ullmann

Writer:

Ingmar Bergman

Stars:

Pernilla August, Max von Sydow, Samuel Fröler

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Pernilla August	...	Anna
Max von Sydow	...	Jacob
Samuel Fröler	...	Henrik
Thomas Hanzon	...	Tomas Egerman
Anita Björk	...	Karin Åkerblom
Vibeke Falk	...	Fröken Nylander
Kristina Adolphson	...	Maria
Gunnel Fred	...	Märta Gärdsjö
Hans Alfredson	...	Biskop Agrell
Bengt Schött	...	Vaktmästare Stille

Storyline

Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, her uncle Jacob (Max von Sydow). He presses her to confess her sins to her husband, Henrik. As the film moves back and forth in time, the notion of truth is tested. Tomas, the lover, and Henrik will find that Anna's confessions do not absolve anyone, and have the power to inflict more pain. Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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Plot Keywords:

priest | extramarital affair | sequel | story also published as novel | title directed by female | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Max von Sydow's last Swedish speaking role, unless you count Hercules (1997) where he provided the voice of Zeus.

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Quotes

Anna: Do you believe in God, Uncle Jacob? A Father in Heaven, a God of Love? A God with hands, and a heart, and watching eyes?
Jacob: Don't use the word "God." Say "Holiness." There's holiness in everyone. Human holiness. All else is attributes, disguise, manifestation, and trickery. You can never make out or capture human holiness. At the same time... it's something to cling to. Something tangible, lasting unto death. What happens then is hidden from us. It's only the poets, musicians, and saints who may ...

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Alternate Versions

A theatrical version runs 131 minutes.

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Connections

Follows The Best Intentions (1991)

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Soundtracks

Jesu bleibet meine Freunde, No. 147
Music by Johann Sebastian Bach
Conducted by Christopher Hogwood
Performed by The Academy of Ancient Music

User Reviews

Any film with Bergman involved promises much, and in delivery Private Confessions does not disappoint

Apart from a couple of long-winded moments and an ending that feels a little forced, this is a most excellent film and very intriguing in so many ways. Long-term Bergman collaborator Sven Nykvist is responsible for the cinematography and every shot and frame has a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere and realism to it that it is almost hypnotising to watch. The director this time round is not Bergman, but Liv Ullman, one of his best regular actresses and among the best that Sweden ever had. The directing is done very intelligently, from collaborating with Bergman for so long there is definitely an influence but it never resorts to imitation. Like Bergman as well, she does a fine job in keeping the characters and situations as compellingly real as possible, whether you're fascinated by or indifferent to them is a matter of opinion. Bergman does have a hand in it, as a writer. The structure is very autobiographical and personal, and it so incredibly honest, often painfully so, and thought provoking. The story is insightful, dealing with complex issues with such realism, and while you mayn't consider the characters likable anybody familiar with Bergman's style and know enough about what he intends in every one of his movies will argue that they weren't meant to be, and I agree. Pernilla August gives a masterful lead performance, she says little but her gestures and expressions really resonate with you, for me in that regard like a female Max Von Sydow. Sydow also stars and I can't find anything to fault him whatsoever, like August he tells much without having to do so verbally. In conclusion, an excellent film and doesn't disappoint in what it promised. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Private Confessions

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,759, 10 January 1999

Gross USA:

$8,759

Company Credits

Production Co:

DR TV-Drama, NRK Drama, Nordic-TV Coproduction Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

196 min (2 parts) 126 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3 Letterbox