When we experience a film, we consciously prime ourselves for illusion. Putting aside will and intellect, we make way for it in our imagination. The sequence of pictures plays directly on our feelings. Music works in the same fashion; I would say that there is no art form that has so much in common with film as music. Both affect our emotions directly, not via the intellect. And film is mainly rhythm; it is inhalation and exhalation in continuous sequence.
Ingmar BergmanSometimes I go for days without speaking to a soul. I think, โI should make that call", but I put it off. Because thereโs something pleasurable about not talking. But then I love talking, so itโs not that. But sometimes it can be nice. Itโs not like I sit here philosophizing, because Iโve no talent for that. Itโs just this thing about silence thatโs so wonderful.
Ingmar BergmanI make all my decisions on intuition. But then, I must know why I made that decision. I throw a spear into the darkness. That is intuition. Then I must send an army into the darkness to find the spear. That is intellect.
Ingmar BergmanSelf-portraiture is something one should never get involved in, since it is wrong to lie even though one endeavours to tell the truth.
Ingmar BergmanThen I felt that every inflection of my voice, every word in my mouth, was a lie, a play whose sole purpose was to cover emptiness and boredom. There was only one way I could avoid a state of despair and a breakdown. To be silent. And to reach behind the silence for clarity or at least try to collect the resources that might still be available to me.
Ingmar Bergman