Music in Darkness

The only film by Ingmar Bergman in which Mai Zetterling appeared – and a truly pivotal title in her career. The story of a sensitive young maid falling in love with her employer, a blind pianist, won the hearts of audiences at the Venice Film Festival, who were enchanted by the performance of the young actress. It was this very role that opened the doors to her international career and secured her a star contract in the United Kingdom. “In Mai Zetterling, Bergman saw warm skin and hot blood, but through the body, he also saw the essence – the luminous soul of a woman in love,” summarized a critic from Time. And yet, before long, Zetterling would leave acting behind to focus on directing. “Too many limitations, too little creativity,” she would write in her autobiography, explaining her career shift. Ironically, it was only after this transition that her artistic kinship with Bergman deepened – they shared a similar visual language, themes, and approach to working with actors and crew. Both surrounded themselves with trusted collaborators and frequently cast the same actors, such as Bibi Andersson. Some critics believe that Mai Zetterling deliberately engaged in a creative dialogue with Bergman – only instead of his worldview, she offered a distinctly female perspective.

Małgorzata Sadowska

Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007) was a Swedish film and theater director, writer, screenwriter, and producer. Recognized as one of the greatest filmmakers in cinema history, he created such masterpieces as The Seventh Seal (1957), Wild Strawberries (1957), and Fanny and Alexander (1982). His films often posed existential questions, explored human relationships, and delved into spirituality. Bergman won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.