A traveling magician and his assistants are persecuted by authorities in Sweden of the 19th century. Their capture, however, didn’t bring victory to those in power. Presenting challenging ideas about magic, reality, and the nature of film itself, this haunting and often chilling work remains one of Bergmans best and most accessible works.

The Magician as part of Ingmar Bergman’s Imperial Phase at Adelaide Cinematheque

Ingmar Bergman’s Imperial Phase

Between 1957 and 1960, Ingmar Bergman underwent an explosive burst of creative genius that permanently redefined international cinema, transitioning from a respected director into a global cultural titan. Bergman confronted the silence of God, the terror of mortality, and the fragility of the human psyche with a bold, unprecedented visual vocabulary. With the stark, unforgettable cinematography of Gunnar Fischer and legendary actors including Max von Sydow and Bibi Andersson, this era represents the apex of European art-house cinema.