in the presence of a clown
October 3 - 4, 1998
Sponsored by
IN THE PRESENCE OF A CLOWN
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the 36th new york film festival:
in the presence of a clown October 3 - 4, 1998 Sponsored by
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at the Walter Reade Theater Saturday, October 3: 6:15 and 8:30 pm Sunday, October 4: 1 and 3:20 pm
Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. Inventor Carl Åkerblom is 54, as rosy-cheeked as a child, an admirer of Franz Schubert--and a patient in the psychiatric ward of Akademiska Hospital in Uppsala. He has attempted to beat his fiancée to death. With the collaboration of fellow patient Osvald Vogler, Åkerblom essays a fascinating film project: the living talkie. Soon the two colleagues set off on a frantic tour with their new film: The Joy of the Joyous Girl. IN THE PRESENCE OF A CLOWN, Bergman's latest dramatic effort for Swedish television, is a rollicking spoof on the theater and film, full of the Master's characteristic mix of humor and darkness. Based on a story that Bergman found among papers left by his favorite uncle--an inventor and engineer--at his death, CLOWN features Uncle Carl as its protagonist. He is played by Börje Ahlstedt, who had the same role in Fanny and Alexander, Best Intentions and Sunday's Child (the latter directed by Ingmar Bergman's son Daniel). The cast of IN THE PRESENCE OF A CLOWN also includes Marie Richardson, as Carl's young fiancée, Erland Josephson, Pernilla August, Peter Stormare, Anita Björk, and Anna Björk.
Main Film Festival Program
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