As the grand finale of the Ingmar Bergman 100-year anniversary, the Consulate General hosted a seminar in Shanghai on December 16. Swedish Bergman experts Stig Björkman and Bengt Wanselius together with Chinese directors Wang Xiaoshuai and Guo Shixing discussed the late master and his works as well as his influences on Chinese theatre and cinema.
Director and film critic Stig Björkman and photographer Bengt Wanselius shared perspectives and anecdotes on Bergman’s works and personal views, and talked the audience through behind the scenes footage. Both have extensive knowledge of the subject – Björkman has conducted several interviews with the Swedish director, and Wanselius worked together with him for two decades at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Sweden. Award-winning Chinese filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai and Chinese theatre director and playwright Guo Shixing gave their take on Bergman and his importance in China. Guo Shixing has previously produced a Chinese version of "Scenes from a Marriage" on the theatre stage.
The discussion was followed by Q&A, and a screening of Stig Björkman’s Bergman documentary "...But Film Is My Mistress" introduced by the director.
The seminar was organized by the Consulate General in cooperation with Chinese art critic Sun Mengjin, who moderated the discussion, and venue Hotel Equatorial. A captive audience of 300 included culture professionals, media and film lovers.
