Women in the Films of IngmarBergman

Abstract

This entry provides an overview of the key critical responses to the representation of women in the films of Ingmar Bergman. As a central part of the European filmic canon, Bergman is a revered White male artist whose work stands out not only because of his focus on existential concerns, but also because of the attention paid to female roles. While the Swedish filmmaker is known for casting female characters as protagonists, feminist film criticism of his work has been mixed and has varied across time. The varied critical discourses around Bergman's depiction of women have moved from assessing its revolutionary potential for female liberation, to analysing its deeply problematic dimensions, to a middle‐ground position that acknowledges its flaws but also accounts for its radical treatment of gender and identity.