Filmmaker Ingmar Bergman died today at his home in Faro, Sweden. The longtime writer-director got his start in theater, eventually heading the Royal Dramatic Theater in Stockholm. In 1942, he became an assistant script writer for the nation’s main production company; his first screenplay, Torment, was filmed two years later, and won several awards at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bergman began directing films in 1946, many from his own scripts. In all he would make over 50 films; among his most acclaimed works were 1955’s Smiles of a Summer Night, 1957’s Academy Award-nominated The Seventh Seal, 1957’s Wild Strawberries, 1966’s Persona, and 1978’s Autumn Sonata.
Bergman directed his last feature, Faithless, in 2000, but did not retire completely, remaining involved in theater and occasional TV work. He was 89.
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