The idea of name film makers on a pilgrimage to Ingmar Bergman's Faro Island home is enough to strike a chill into the heart of any seasoned viewer. Surprisingly, this proves to have room for a large slice of irreverent material without decrying Bergman's status as the heavyweight champion of sixties Euro Art cinema.
The over-all impression is that of a swarm of talented individuals who like to talk about the influences that shaped their own work and for whom Bergman represented one of the high achievers of their craft. The interviews are remarkably skillful - Woody Allen playing it straight, Lars Von Trier getting laughs, Robert De Niro, who is notoriously awkward in interviews, at ease and making valid comment. Technical aspects are good large screen standard and the clips are well chosen and reasonably reproduced - WINTER LIGHT conspicuously absent.
The photos of The Great Man with Ang Lee are a strong finale but I must admit Beat Takashi's encounter with VIRGIN SPRING is the part I tell friends about.
