January's Film: Winter Light

It's an honor and pleasure to be sharing one of my personal favourite films with the Film Group to start the new year. Ingmar Bergman, as you all know by now as one of my most celebrated directors, explored religion (and faith) in all of his work - but with particular tenacity in the late Fifties and early Sixties. Winter Light (1963) is considered the second installment in what has come to be known as the Faith Trilogy - although Bergman never grouped or identified the films as such. The story follows a near-faithless pastor's experience over the course of one dreary (imagine that) Sunday in the Swedish countryside. Stars the amazing talents of Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Björnstrand, Gunnel Lindblom, and Max von Sydow.

The following ten minute documentary serves as a great introduction to the film, and is hosted by renowned Bergman scholar Peter Cowie.