Cannes-awarded, paying a tribute to Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman and celebrating the centenary of her birth, comes this feature documentary by director Stig Björkman with voice over by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander.
In spring 2011, director Stig Björkman meets Ingrid Bergman’s daughter Isabella Rossellini and she suggests him to ”make a film about Mama”. Through Isabella, Stig is able to tell Ingrid’s story through her own words and images.
Seven time Academy Award nominee and three time Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman was one of the most talented actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age with great performances in films such as CASABLANCA (1942), GASLIGHT (1944) and AUTUMN SONATA (1978) .
Through never-before-seen private footage, notes, letters, diaries and interviews with her children, this documentary presents a personal portrait and captivating look behind the scenes of the remarkable life of a young Swedish girl who became one of the most celebrated actresses of American and World cinema.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Some years ago I had a chance meeting with Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of Ingrid Bergman, and she presented me with a most direct proposition: ”Shall we make a film about ‘mama’?” I saw this as a most challenging project, and when I later got access to her rich posthumous work - diaries, letters, photographs, amateur movies - my appreciation of Ingrid Bergman as a strong and most determined artist grew even bigger .
With INGRID BERGMAN – In Her Own Words (Jag är Ingrid.) I’ve tried to make a rich and multi-colored portrait of this extraordinary human being, based to a large extent on her own offerings, her opinions as expressed in her private diaries and self-made amateur movies, her art as documented in films over more than four decades. And I have called in people close to her - her children - to witness about her life and her great offerings to all of us who have only gotten to know her from the silver screen .
Stig Björkman 2015
EXCERPT FROM INGRID'S DIARY
I’m going to keep this diary and hide it away forever.
I’m 14 years, two months and three days old.
I was born on the twenty-ninth of August 1915.
My parents were Friedel Adler and Justus Bergman.
I was baptised Ingrid.
I was spirited, irritating, stubborn and wild.
Ingrid Bergman 1929
FESTIVAL SELECTION
19 May, World Premiere, Cannes Film Festival, France
13-21 June, Shanghai International Film Festival, China
27 June - 4 July, Il Cinema Ritrovato, Bologna, Italy
8-26 July, Scandinavian Film Festival, Australia
9-19 July, Jerusalem Film Festival, Israel/Palestine
15, 30 July, Cinémathèque française, France
8-16 August, Dokufest, Kosovo
27 August-7 September, Montreal World Film Festival, Canada
4-7 September, Telluride Film Festival, USA
24 September-11 Oktober, Vancouver International Film Festival, Canada
25 September-9 Oktober, New York Film Festival, USA
8 - 9 October , Vancouver International Film Festival, USA - Most Popular International Documentary Award
12 October, Mill Valley Film Festival, USA
17 October, Astoria International Film Festival, USA - Best international Documentary Award
18-29 November, IDFA, The Netherlands
PRESS COVERAGE, A SELECTION
A New Domain: New York Film Festival 2015: Films to See, Films to Avoid
Review in Playlist/Indiewire, A-: Stig Björkman's Ingrid Bergman - In Her Own Words
Review in Examiner.com, 5/5 stars: Stig Bjorkman's I Am Ingrid' mesmerizes 68th Cannes Film Festival
Reuters: Ingrid Bergman had made peace with America, says daughter Rossellini
Cannes Classics' ‘Ingrid Bergman - In Her Own Words' Set to Travel
Ingrid Bergman centenary: Why the Casablanca star's extraordinary career continues to shine on
Classic Driver: Ferrari pays homage to Ingrid Bergman
The Hollywood Reporter - Ingrid Bergman Graces Official 68th Cannes Film Festival Poster
IndieWire - Cannes 2015 Poste Sends a Love Letter to Ingrid Bergman
Cannes Film Festival - It's Poster Time at the Festival de Cannes!
