Sven Nykvist

40 international directors were asked to make a short film using the original Cinematographe invented by the Lumière Brothers, working under conditions similar to those of 1895. There were three rules: (1) The film could be no longer than 52 seconds, (2) no synchronized sound was permitted, and (3) no more than three takes.

A documentary behind the scenes of Ingmar Bergman's The Magic Flute.

In desperation brought on by near-starvation, Helge Roos kills his master's ox to feed his wife and baby daughter, setting off a devastating and unexpected chain of events.

Portrait of Ingmar Bergman, made while he was working on The Touch, about his professional and private life in the early 1970s.

Guided by Liv Ullmann and with commentaries from a number of prominent filmmakers for whom Bergman is and remains an important influence - such as Woody Allen, Olivier Assayas, Bernardo Bertolucci, Arnaud Desplechin, John Sayles, Martin Scorsese and Lars von Trier, the film provides a vivid portrait of the artist who in each new project found a challenge for himself and for the people he worked with - both actors and colleagues behind the camera.

The Scandinavian entry in the BFI's Century of Cinema series of documentaries

This documentary offers a rare glimpse of the legendary Soviet filmmaker, Andrei Tarkosvky, at work. Tarkovsky made only seven films in his brief, but brilliant, career; Michal Leszczylowski's respectful movie chronicles him at work on his last film, The Sacrifice. Offering insight into Tarkovsky's working methods and transcendental aesthetics, the movie is a compelling account of the difficulties of film production. In the case of an uncompromising and visionary filmmaker like Tarkovsky, the practical problems of filmmaking are only magnified, as cast and crew struggle to realize the ambitious concepts in Tarkovsky's mind.

Cameramen and women discuss the craft and art of cinematography and of the "DP" (the director of photography), illustrating their points with clips from 100 films, from Birth of a Nation to Do the Right Thing. Themes: the DP tells people where to look; changes in movies (the arrival of sound, color, and wide screens) required creative responses from DPs; and, these artisans constantly invent new equipment and try new things, with wonderful results. The narration takes us through the identifiable studio styles of the 30s, the emergence of noir, the New York look, and the impact of Europeans. Citizen Kane, The Conformist, and Gordon Willis get special attention.

The Queen of the Night enlists a handsome prince named Tamino to rescue her beautiful kidnapped daughter, Princess Pamina, in this screen adaptation of the beloved Mozart opera. Aided by the lovelorn bird hunter Papageno and a magical flute that holds the power to change the hearts of men, young Tamino embarks on a quest for true love, leading to the evil Sarastro's temple where Pamina is held captive.

Carl-Gustaf Nykvist's documentary about his father, Sven Nykvist. The film is based on Sven's memoirs with Sven himself as narrator. A journey to the place of birth, Moheda, constitutes the hub of the film and during the journey friends and memories emerge. Written by Fredrik Klasson

The year is 1961 and Ingmar Bergman is making a movie. While planted on the scene as apprentice to Bergman, Vilgot Sjöman (director, I Am Curious–Yellow, 1967), suggests to Swedish Television that they take the opportunity to record with the acclaimed director. In August, Sjöman and the television crew begin to capture what would become a comprehensive five-part documentary on the making of Winter Light, offering views of script development, set construction and lighting, rehearsals and editing, as well as intimate conversations with Bergman and members of his cast and crew. Footage from the film’s Swedish premiere delivers immediate audience reactions and the critics’ reviews the following day.

The behind-the-scenes documentary for Ingmar Bergman's 1972 masterpiece Cries and Whispersdirected by Bergman’s long-time collaborator, script girl Katinka Farago, it was shot on the set at Taxinge-Näsby Castle in Sweden. The documentary features a narration by Bergman scholar Peter Cowie

A 1988 documentary film directed by Alexander Sokurov, about the later life and death of Soviet Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. The film was originally intended to mark the 50th birthday of Tarkovsky in 1982, which would have been before his death. Controversy with Soviet authorities about the film's style and content led to significant delays in the production.

Chris Marker’s portrait of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky documents the director at work on his final film, The Sacrifice, during the last year of his life. Interweaving behind-the-scenes footage with excerpts from Tarkovsky’s earlier works, Marker crafts a moving reflection on the artist’s vision, methods, and enduring legacy.

Shot during the making of Fanny and Alexander, this feature-length documentary presents extended behind-the-scenes material from rehearsals and filming sessions, with Bergman at work staging scenes and directing performances. The film focuses on the practical process of production, including collaboration with the principal cast and key crew members such as cinematographer Sven Nykvist and on-set documentarian Arne Carlsson.

Documentary on production designer Anna Asp's work with director Andrey Tarkovsky, during the shooting of his film Offret (The Sacrifice).

A documentary on Sven Nykvist lighting the movie-set during the shooting of Andrei Tarkovsky's film "The Sacrifice."

A docudrama based on stills from the film "The Sacrifice" (Offret) by Andrei Tarkovsky. Sven Nykvist and Andrei Tarkovsky meet in a final conversation where they jointly find relief before the implacable, captured in the only substantial composed, their timeless images.

Using original footage and interviews, family photos, and excepts from many of the actress's screen and stage performances, the film explores sources of Liv Ullman's creativity, the influence of her Norwegian heritage, her relationship with Ingmar Bergman, her views on being a woman and mother in contemporary society, and the writing of her autobiography,

A short documentary about the work of Swedish cinematographer and Ingmar Bergman collaborator, Sven Nykvist, emphasizing his style of lighting and sense of humanity through interviews and film clips from key Bergman and Nykvist productions.

Filmed around the time of the 1989 Oscars this documentary includes interviews with foreign filmmakers from a variety of disciplines about their experiences working and living in Hollywood.

This behind-the-scenes documentary follows the production of Autumn Sonata, capturing rehearsals, filming sessions, and discussions during the shoot. The film presents extended observational footage of the working process led by Ingmar Bergman and the principal cast and crew.

In desperation brought on by near-starvation, Helge Roos kills his master's ox to feed his wife and baby daughter, setting off a devastating and unexpected chain of events.

In desperation brought on by near-starvation, Helge Roos kills his master's ox to feed his wife and baby daughter, setting off a devastating and unexpected chain of events.

In this adventure, set deep within the Belgian Congo, a local witch doctor decides the only way to stop a rampaging gorilla from terrorizing his people is to sacrifice a new-born baby. Meanwhile a local game warden and a journalist researching a story on the natives team up to stop the crazed simian.

Sven Nykvist, best known as Ingmar Bergman cinematographer, made this film as a tribute to his father who was a missionary in Kongo in the early 20th century. The story of his father Gustav Natanael Nykvist is told through his own photos, letters, and films. Director & cinematographer: Sven Nykvist. Narrators in the English dubbed version: Liv Ullmann & Sean Connery. Produced by Ingmar Bergman (Cinematograph AB). Digitally restored in 2022.

Sven Nykvist, best known as Ingmar Bergman cinematographer, made this film as a tribute to his father who was a missionary in Kongo in the early 20th century. The story of his father Gustav Natanael Nykvist is told through his own photos, letters, and films. Director & cinematographer: Sven Nykvist. Narrators in the English dubbed version: Liv Ullmann & Sean Connery. Produced by Ingmar Bergman (Cinematograph AB). Digitally restored in 2022.

A documentary film about the German musician, philosopher, doctor and peace prize winner Albert Schweitzer, his life and work.

A documentary film about the German musician, philosopher, doctor and peace prize winner Albert Schweitzer, his life and work.

A Professor comes home carrying a paper bag with food. Among the goods in the bag is apricot jam. His wife reacts strongly, since they always have eaten orange marmalade. The Professor leaves his house and checks into a hotel.

A Swedish scientist couple comes to a small African village to fight malaria.

After years of ignoring the shy cousin whom she and her peers taunted mercilessly as a child, a middle-aged woman (Ingrid Thulin) wrenches the poor man (Erland Josephson) out of his self-chosen solitude to accompany her on a trip. Despite developments which deepen their knowledge of one another, the communication between them does not portend long-lasting intimacy.

A Swedish missionary visits a museum in Stockholm that has several objects from his travels to Africa. When he sees a wooden god he starts to remember.

A Swedish missionary visits a museum in Stockholm that has several objects from his travels to Africa. When he sees a wooden god he starts to remember.

A Swedish missionary visits a museum in Stockholm that has several objects from his travels to Africa. When he sees a wooden god he starts to remember.

A missionary film by photographer Sven Nykvist.

Promotional film for the CinemaScope format. Dachshund Piccolo is the speaker, Evert Taube participates.

Promotional film for the CinemaScope format. Dachshund Piccolo is the speaker, Evert Taube participates.