Being a big film geek, it's a bit weird that there are several important directors whose movies I have never watched. I got a few movies recently, made my Ingmar Bergman (probably the most important Swedish director ever) and François Truffaut (one of the biggest in French cinema history). There are so many more directors that I need to catch up to, but I'm starting with those two for now.
Watched Ingmar Bergman's "Sawdust and Tinsel" late today. I'm really surprised by how much I liked it.
Sawdust and Tinsel (1953) (US title)
The above picture is the Danish version that I've got. The Danish title roughly translates to "Night of the Carnies". The cover of this version makes it look curiously like a B-movie, which it isn't at all.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045848...=m_nmfmd_dr_57
It's about the leader of a circus of outcasts with lots of lice and no money. As with many drama movies, it's a bit hard to say what it's about without spoiling important scenes. So broadly put, it's about the safe life versus life on the road. It's about the past and people changing with time. And it's about strongly conflicting emotions between people - not least lovers and former lovers.
Tensions rise and things get pretty crazy near the end of the movie. I felt several very different strong emotions while watching this movie. Sets my expectations pretty high for other Bergman movies. Luckily, he's got a pretty sizeable filmography.
Damned impressive performances as well. There were several actors and actresses here that I'd love to see in some more movies. Which would require me to see some more Swedish 50's cinema. With a bit of luck, some of these actors figure in other Bergman movies.