FROM THE LIFE OF THE MARIONETTES (AUS DEM LEBEN DER MARIONETTEN) Classic Film Retrospective

AFl’s presentation of the new print of this little-seen film from master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman is cause for celebration. This rare gem has its first LA screening in almost two decades, making it a unique opportunity to view one of his most controversial films, made during the director’s exile in Germany.

FROM THE LIFE OF THE MARIONETTES is a hauntingly dark tale of a businessman’s descent into darkness, as the walls cave in from his marriage. Filled with a violent bitterness, the film’s brilliant and colorful opening sequence is juxtaposed with a black and white body, harshly lit scenes, and an in-depth look into the darkest aspects of sexuality. The film shocked even loyal Bergman fans at the time. Bergman found it fascinating to work with German stage actors with no experience in front of a camera and set out to make a film based on investigation rather than plot, leading into a world of emotional aridity that results in tragedy.