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How Does Bergman Use Mis-En Scene In Cries And Whispers

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Cries and Whispers was one of Bergman’s successful films and one of the most unique. Bergman plays with themes of death and religion in this film, and Sven Nykvist’s brilliant cinematography helps exemplify these themes. The sequence following the opening of Cries and Whispers depicts a saturated, red interior and introduces the audience to the four main characters. Bergman’s use of the mis-en-scene, sound and rhythm, and camera proximity in addition to the acting, portrays how this sequence is quintessential of the film as a chamber film. The sequence starts after a red fade out from a longshot of the landscape, which will be more relevant later in the sequence. Set in a stately mansion, the sequence introduces the viewers to a bright red …show more content…

Before the sequence begins, there is a montage of the landscape surrounding the mansion. Agnes constantly looks to the outside world and landscape. After Agnes puts her glass of water back on the bedside table, her gaze lingers on the drawn window (shot 11d). This frame harkens to other Munch paintings depicting an ill woman dying in bed, gazing out an open window. The woman in the paintings looks to the scenery beyond the window as a heaven yet to come when death finally arrives. Agnes’ short gaze on the window implies the same. While the viewers do not see get to see landscape in this shot, they see it through Agnes’ point of view when she goes to draw one of the blinds in her room (shot 13). The view outside her window is peaceful and inviting. However, the view of it is obstructed by the window panes. Bergman hints at the outside world as an escape that is so close within reach, yet so far from attainment. This seems to comment on Agnes’ longing to be outside and escape solitude as well as her acceptance that she is confined to this retched red room because the following shot captures her looking down forlornly (shot

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