Studies On The Religious Thoughts And Feelings And Artistic Charm Reflected In The Films Of Ingmar Bergman

Throughout a varied artistic career spanning over half a century, Ingmar Bergman interprets with his camera such a unique series of themes concerning the ultimate meanings of life as the silence of God, the degeneration of humans, disasters in love and lust against love----unprecedented and monumental for a film director in history. This paper, focusing on twelve of his films made at different times, analyzes his understanding of religion with regards to human ultimate meaning of life and explores the exclusive artistic charm intermingled with religious and philosophical thinking...In Introduction, based on a comprehensive survey of the study of Ingmar Bergman and his films, this dissertation puts forward the major arguement, confirming the aim of this research, briefly introducing the subject of the study, its methodology and its features and innovation.The body of the dissertation consists of four chapters.Chapter one, while studying Ingmar Bergman's course of growth, explores the conflict between and mergence of Greek and Hebrew cultures, observing his religious faith and artistic charm in the context of the two cultures.Chapter Two, with The Seventh Seal as the guideline, summarizes Berman's religious outlook----constant question of the constraint of the traditional religion and indefatigable pursuit of sacred obligation for human race. It is made clear that mature humans are obliged to shoulder their responsibility and achieve more brilliance, thus laying a solid foundation for human faith in the ruins of transcendent religion.Chapter Three deals with three groups of his typical films, showcases in three aspects the unavoidable sufferings that humans have to go through in the current context of "the death of God".Chapter Four, analyzing three classical films, namely The Silence, Cries and Whispers, Fanny and Alexander, highlights Ingmar's brand new philosophic thoughts and faith revealed in his films:"flesh" and "lust" as somewhat mysterious ultimate concern, and the implying of the veritable basis and source of life in the "specific and direct" life which contradicts conventional religion, representing a new form of faith.Chapters Two, Three and Four interpret Berman's specific works of art, reveal their unique artistic charm, discuss Berman's essential attitude towards faith and clarify the religious thread penetrating throughout his films.The Conclusion summarizes the dissertation and indicates that, while seeking "duality clear-up and mergence of different cultures", Bergman explores his religious faith and demonstrates his artistic charm.