Through a Glass Darkly

The film explores the theme of faith in a god that would be better off not existing.

A young woman named Karin is brought to an island for rehabilitation after being treated in a psychiatric clinic. However, Karin is convinced that she is healthy and believes that God will soon appear to her through a crack in the wall. The title of the film refers to the apostle Paul's message: «For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.» And, it must be said, the scene where the heroine comes face-to-face with her God is the most terrifying revelation I have seen in cinema.

The consecutive releases of «Through a Glass Darkly,» «Winter Light,» and «The Silence» were often grouped together by many film critics as the "Trilogy of Faith," although the director himself objected to such interpretation. However, in Bergman's world, God is indeed very important, precisely because He is absent (or, worse yet, indifferent to human suffering)—the void left by His absence painfully yawns, and the audience shares in the horror of abandonment by God along with the characters.

During the filming of «Through a Glass Darkly,» Bergman first set foot on the island of Fårö. The director was so struck by the otherworldly views of this place that he decided to stay there and subsequently filmed seven more movies there, including the famous «Persona.» After Bergman's death, a cultural center was established in his home, and a small film festival began to be held on the island every year.

The discussion will be hosted by philosopher and film scholar (and co-founder of the cinema) Varya Vlasova.