A Great One passes on. at DVinfo.net

Chris Leong · July 30th, 2007, 10:48 PM

Ingmar Bergman died today.

It's been over 30 years ago now when, as a schoolkid, I accidentally bumped into a Bergman book in Foyles of London. I was looking for "Ingird Bergman" and picked up "Ingmar" by mistake. I remember only that I read the entire thing, standing in the bookshop (no sofas in that age) then and there, the first, and probably the last time I've ever done that.

The knowledge of his work, through that book, changed my life.

From then to now, to the latest script I've written and am about to produce and direct, he has been the one enduring, central influence in my film making career.

Not that I've necessarily loved every film of his - I haven't.

It's his words outside of his screenplays, his work ethic, his sensibility and his helpful attitude and guidance to others, specifically to his co-workers in the creative fields, that has endeared me to this man.

In short, it's given me the guts to keep on making my movies, my way, when people around me haven't necessarily loved every one of mine.

I'm not sad that he's passed on, his time was up and he's on record as saying that he hated growing old and infirm, and anyway, I've already written to him, years ago now, paying my tribute to him. He never replied, but I didn't mind.

It's just another reminder that time ticks on for all of us, and that to make less than one's best work, to try less than one's utmost to excel at what we do, to push the envelope ever outward, is just, well, somehow... less.

Even today, in death, his famous "kick in the backside" feels just as smart as it ever did.

Daniel J. Wojcik · July 31st, 2007, 06:23 AM

Followed almost immediately by Michelangelo Antonioni

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/200...antonioni.html

Trying to think of who's left...

Boyd Ostroff · July 31st, 2007, 09:00 AM

Antonioni's movie "Blow Up" was recently released on DVD and I picked up a copy several months ago. I originally saw that movie when I was in high school and it made quite an impression on me. My friends and I all got Nikon cameras shortly afterwards, thinking they would make us as cool as David Hemmings (and as lucky with chicks ;-)

I don't think many people today remember that film; if you've never seen it then check it out. It really does an excellent job of capturing the mood and style in London during the 1960's: http://imdb.com/title/tt0060176/

Chris Leong · July 31st, 2007, 09:10 AM

David Hemmings also passed today...

July 30th, 2007, 10:48 PM	#1
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	A Great One passes on. Ingmar Bergman died today. It's been over 30 years ago now when, as a schoolkid, I accidentally bumped into a Bergman book in Foyles of London. I was looking for "Ingird Bergman" and picked up "Ingmar" by mistake. I remember only that I read the entire thing, standing in the bookshop (no sofas in that age) then and there, the first, and probably the last time I've ever done that. The knowledge of his work, through that book, changed my life. From then to now, to the latest script I've written and am about to produce and direct, he has been the one enduring, central influence in my film making career. Not that I've necessarily loved every film of his - I haven't. It's his words outside of his screenplays, his work ethic, his sensibility and his helpful attitude and guidance to others, specifically to his co-workers in the creative fields, that has endeared me to this man. In short, it's given me the guts to keep on making my movies, my way, when people around me haven't necessarily loved every one of mine. I'm not sad that he's passed on, his time was up and he's on record as saying that he hated growing old and infirm, and anyway, I've already written to him, years ago now, paying my tribute to him. He never replied, but I didn't mind. It's just another reminder that time ticks on for all of us, and that to make less than one's best work, to try less than one's utmost to excel at what we do, to push the envelope ever outward, is just, well, somehow... less. Even today, in death, his famous "kick in the backside" feels just as smart as it ever did.

July 31st, 2007, 09:10 AM	#4
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	And the wierdest thing... David Hemmings also passed today...

July 31st, 2007, 06:23 AM	#2
Daniel J. Wojcik Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kempner, Texas Posts: 70	Followed almost immediately by Michelangelo Antonioni http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/film/200...antonioni.html Trying to think of who's left...

July 31st, 2007, 09:00 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Antonioni's movie "Blow Up" was recently released on DVD and I picked up a copy several months ago. I originally saw that movie when I was in high school and it made quite an impression on me. My friends and I all got Nikon cameras shortly afterwards, thinking they would make us as cool as David Hemmings (and as lucky with chicks ;-) I don't think many people today remember that film; if you've never seen it then check it out. It really does an excellent job of capturing the mood and style in London during the 1960's: http://imdb.com/title/tt0060176/