The Next Reel Film Podcast

Is this film built for regular filmgoers or specifically Ingmar Bergman fans? Is the color red brilliantly used or overused? How good are the performances in the film? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more!

Show Notes

“I can’t take it! Can’t anyone help me? I can’t take it! Help me!”

Starting with an image dreamed of four women in white in a red room, Ingmar Bergman was able to build the story that became his film Cries and Whispers. The film would go on to become one of his most successful films, certainly the highest-grossing film of his released in the US. But Bergman said it’s very hard to say anything about this film, so clearly the film was enigmatic to him, and perhaps made intentionally that way as well, so does it make sense that so many people (including us now) have taken to analyzing his film? Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Foreign Language Films Nominated for Best Picture series with Bergman’s 1973 film Cries and Whispers.

We talk about the struggle we both have with Bergman’s films, even acknowledging that his films are full of art and intention, and how that shapes our thoughts on the film. We look at the use of the color red throughout the film, how it can be interpreted, and why it may be analytically problematic to use is so pervasively. We also chat about Sven Nykvist’s challenges to capture so much red on film stock at the time. We discuss the performances of the actors here and look at how great they all are. And we look at some of the theories about the film and debate if we can pull much from them.

It’s a tough film to watch but an impeccably constructed film. We have a great conversation about it on this week’s show, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.