Filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's 100th birthday celebrations begin

2018 will withness the 100th birthday of Ingmar Bergman, world famous filmmaker, legendary theatre director and exceptional writer.

He was born on July 14th, 1918, but the jubilee began Monday and will continue throughout 2018.

Ingmar Bergman directed 62 films and also directed many TV documentaries and series. He was known to direct films without a complete script and let the actors and actresses play to their greatest potential. He has greatly influenced the film world.

Jan Holmberg, CEO of Ingmar Bergman Foundation, is interviewed by CRI's Chen Xuefei about Bergman's centenary celebration in Stockholm. [Photo: China Plus/Chen Xuefei]

Jan Holmberg, CEO of the Ingmar Bergman Foundation explains the detailes of the celebration.

The works of Ingmar Bergman are famous not only in Sweden, but all over the world. That is why the Bergman Foundation launched the centenary celebration in London. 

"There will be so many things, literally all over the planet, there will be screenings of his films in cinematek, in film museums,in movie theatres and television channels."

Holmberg also said plays based on Bergman scripts will be staged. There will be about 50 new stage productions. In addition, there will be dances, as well as books and texts that have never been published. There will be five film documentaries about Ingmar Bergman in Swedish, German and French. The activities will range from Los Angles to Shanghai and from Nordic countries to South Africa.

Holmberg said that Bergman was a universal genius and universal artist and they will invite all kinds of people to participate in the celebration.

"We hope that many people who have always loved Bergman will have new discoveries, will see new aspects of Bergman that they didn't know that existed. But we will also reach new audience that have not been familiar with Bergman, perhaps they heard about the name, but haven't really seen his film or read his book, but also for those who never heard of Bergman, but feel this can be something for them as well."

The celebration will last till the end of next year.