In connection with the 100th anniversary of Ingmar Bergman's birth, many activities were carried out. Liv Ullmann gave many interviews in that connection. Several of these can be found on youtube. I saw Shame after hearing her talk about Bergman and his movies. Ullmann highlighted Shame as one of the best (anti) war films ever made. After watching the movie, I realize that in many ways she is right. Yes, Shame is a war movie. But here are just a few scenes with explosions and bombs. In Shame we get to see what war does to people and their relationships. Bergman was a master at portraying anxiety, insecurity, but also willpower and the importance of social relationships for us. Here we see what happens to a young couple who are exposed to an external strain they neither understand nor have any power over. Ullmann and Sydow are brilliant in portraying how an extreme situation such as war affects the relationship between them. But also how differently they tackle the challenges. Bergman shows how such stresses crush people. The film's message is as relevant now as when it was made, and I hope more people see it. This film provides an insight into the atrocities of war I can never remember seeing in any other so-called war film.
