The Touch
Ingmar Bergman / SE, US, 1971 / 115 min.
Ingmar Bergman’s seldom screened film about a passionate affair is a major rediscovery. A housewife falls for archaeologist David, however her new relationship proves less liberating than she had hoped as she is torn between David and her husband and children.
To her great surprise, Karin (Bibi Andersson), a married mother of two, falls for the vivacious American David (Elliot Gould), an archaeologist befriended by her surgeon husband Andreas (Max von Sydow) currently visiting Sweden. However, her double life and David’s changing moods take their toll.
The poorly dubbed versions and mixed reviews led to The Touch seldom being screened for dozens of years. The new restoration underlines what a shame that is. Bergman’s script excels in psychological precision, the acting is subtle and intense, and Sven Nykvist’s polished camerawork is chock full of suggestive autumn colours. The BFI called the rediscovery of Bergman’s refined character study, entirely filmed from Karin’s perspective ‘A revelation’.
Screening accompanies the premiere of Bergman Island.
Special screenings
Details
Director
Ingmar Bergman
Production year
1971
Country
SE, US
Original title
The Touch
Length
115 min.
Language
English, Swedish, French
Subtitles
ENG
Format
DCP
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