Harriet Andersson
Encyclopedia
Harriet Andersson is a Swedish
actress, known outside Sweden for being part of one of director Ingmar Bergman
's stock company.
She often played impulsive working class
characters and quickly established a reputation on screen for her youthful, unpretentious, full-lipped sensuality. She disdains the use of makeup.
stadsteater in the early 1950s, when she was working as an elevator attendant.
Bergman wrote the title role in Summer with Monika
(1952), specifically for Andersson. The film was particularly notable for Andersson's nude scene
, one of the first in postwar European cinema. It was inspired by Hedy Lamarr
's once notorious skinny-dipping scene in Ecstasy
, twenty years earlier. Filmed in Sweden, the motion picture features a musical score by Les Baxter
.
Although the romantic relationship with Bergman was brief, they continued to work together. Andersson appeared in several of his best known films, including Smiles of a Summer Night
(1955), Through a Glass Darkly
(1961), Cries and Whispers
(1972), and Fanny and Alexander
(1982).
In Through A Glass Darkly, in which Andersson appeared with Max von Sydow
and Gunnar Björnstrand
, she portrays a latent schizophrenic. The movie title is taken from a verse in First Corinthians (13:12) where Paul of Tarsus
says, "For now we see through a glass darkly: But then face to face; Now I know in part; But then I shall know even as I am also known." The plot deals with the actions of four persons during a twenty-four hour period in an old house a far distance out on the Swedish Archipelago
. Some audiences were shocked by Andersson's vivid portrayal of the presence of God as represented in the dark world of a schizophrenic.
Like several other Bergman regulars, she has also had a career in English-language films including performances in Sidney Lumet
's The Deadly Affair
(1966) and more recently in Lars von Trier
's Dogville
(2003).
, the Norwegian Amanda
and best actress awards on the Venice Film Festival
(1964) and the Moscow International Film Festival
(1975). In 1968, Andersson received the Bodil Award for Best Actress for her role in the Henning Carlsen
Danish comedy People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart
. Recently, Andersson won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival
2010.
director Jörn Donner
, and she appeared in Donner's 1961 film, To Love. She gave birth to a daughter in 1960, naming her Petra after her character in Smiles of a Summer Night.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
actress, known outside Sweden for being part of one of director Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
's stock company.
She often played impulsive working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
characters and quickly established a reputation on screen for her youthful, unpretentious, full-lipped sensuality. She disdains the use of makeup.
Film Actress
Andersson met Bergman at MalmöMalmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
stadsteater in the early 1950s, when she was working as an elevator attendant.
Bergman wrote the title role in Summer with Monika
Summer with Monika
Summer with Monika is a 1953 Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It sparked controversy abroad for its frank depiction of nudity, and along with the film One Summer of Happiness from the year before, directed by Arne Mattsson, it started the reputation of Sweden as a sexually liberated...
(1952), specifically for Andersson. The film was particularly notable for Andersson's nude scene
Nudity in film
Nudity in film is any presentation in motion pictures of people while naked or wearing less clothing than contemporary norms consider modest. Many actors and actresses have appeared nude, or exposing parts of their bodies or dressed in ways considered provocative by contemporary standards at some...
, one of the first in postwar European cinema. It was inspired by Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress celebrated for her great beauty who was a major contract star of MGM's "Golden Age".Lamarr also co-invented – with composer George Antheil – an early technique for spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping, necessary to wireless...
's once notorious skinny-dipping scene in Ecstasy
Ecstasy (film)
Ecstasy – Extase in Czech, Ekstase in German – is a Czech film made in 1933 by the Czech director Gustav Machatý. It stars Hedy Lamarr, credited under her original surname Kiesler, and Zvonimir Rogoz....
, twenty years earlier. Filmed in Sweden, the motion picture features a musical score by Les Baxter
Les Baxter
Les Baxter was an American musician and composer.Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer...
.
Although the romantic relationship with Bergman was brief, they continued to work together. Andersson appeared in several of his best known films, including Smiles of a Summer Night
Smiles of a Summer Night
Smiles of a Summer Night a.k.a. Smiles on a Summer Night is a 1955 Swedish comedy film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It was the first of Bergman's films to bring the director international success, due to its exposure at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival...
(1955), Through a Glass Darkly
Through a Glass Darkly (film)
Through a Glass Darkly is a 1961 Swedish film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, and produced by Allan Ekelund. The film is a three-act "chamber film", in which four family members act as mirrors for each other. It is the first of many Bergman films to be shot on the island of Fårö...
(1961), Cries and Whispers
Cries and Whispers
Cries and Whispers is a 1972 Swedish film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Harriet Andersson, Kari Sylwan, Ingrid Thulin and Liv Ullmann. The film is set on a mansion at the end of the 19th century and is about two sisters who watch over their third sister on her deathbed, torn...
(1972), and Fanny and Alexander
Fanny and Alexander
Fanny and Alexander is a 1982 Swedish fantasy drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It was originally conceived as a four-part TV movie and cut in that version, spanning 312 minutes. A 188-minute version was created later for cinematic release, although this version was in fact the...
(1982).
In Through A Glass Darkly, in which Andersson appeared with Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow is a Swedish actor. He has also held French citizenship since 2002. He has starred in many films and had supporting roles in dozens more...
and Gunnar Björnstrand
Gunnar Björnstrand
Gunnar Björnstrand was a Swedish actor known for his frequent work with writer/director Ingmar Bergman. He was born in Stockholm. He appeared in over 180 films....
, she portrays a latent schizophrenic. The movie title is taken from a verse in First Corinthians (13:12) where Paul of Tarsus
Paul of Tarsus
Paul the Apostle , also known as Saul of Tarsus, is described in the Christian New Testament as one of the most influential early Christian missionaries, with the writings ascribed to him by the church forming a considerable portion of the New Testament...
says, "For now we see through a glass darkly: But then face to face; Now I know in part; But then I shall know even as I am also known." The plot deals with the actions of four persons during a twenty-four hour period in an old house a far distance out on the Swedish Archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
. Some audiences were shocked by Andersson's vivid portrayal of the presence of God as represented in the dark world of a schizophrenic.
Like several other Bergman regulars, she has also had a career in English-language films including performances in Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet
Sidney Lumet was an American director, producer and screenwriter with over 50 films to his credit. He was nominated for the Academy Award as Best Director for 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network and The Verdict...
's The Deadly Affair
The Deadly Affair
The Deadly Affair is a 1966 British espionage–thriller film, based on John le Carré's first novel Call for the Dead. The film stars James Mason, Harry Andrews, Simone Signoret and Maximilian Schell and was directed by Sidney Lumet from a script by Paul Dehn. In it George Smiley, the central...
(1966) and more recently in Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier is a Danish film director and screenwriter. He is closely associated with the Dogme 95 collective, although his own films have taken a variety of different approaches, and have frequently received strongly divided critical opinion....
's Dogville
Dogville
Dogville is a 2003 drama written and directed by Lars von Trier, and starring Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Chloë Sevigny, Paul Bettany, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier, and James Caan...
(2003).
Awards
Andersson has won several acting awards, including the Swedish Guldbagge AwardGuldbagge Award
The Guldbagge Award is an official Swedish film award awarded annually since 1964 by the Swedish Film Institute.-Etymology:Guldbagge is the Swedish name for Cetonia aurata, a beetle also known as rose chafer. The name of the award could also be interpreted as a play on the Swedish word skalbagge,...
, the Norwegian Amanda
Amanda (award)
The Amanda Award is an award given annually at the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund, Norway, to promote and improve Norwegian film. The award originated in 1985, and has since 2005 been exclusively a film award...
and best actress awards on the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
(1964) and the Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
(1975). In 1968, Andersson received the Bodil Award for Best Actress for her role in the Henning Carlsen
Henning Carlsen
Henning Carlsen is a Danish film director, screenwriter, and producer most noted for his documentaries and his contributions to the style of Cinéma vérité. Carlsen's 1966 social-realistic drama Hunger was nominated for the Palme D'Or and won the Bodil Award for Best Danish Film...
Danish comedy People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart
People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart
People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart, , is a 1967 Danish/Swedish romantic comedy directed by Henning Carlsen and starring Harriet Andersson and Preben Neergaard...
. Recently, Andersson won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival
Stockholm International Film Festival
The Stockholm International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Stockholm, Sweden. It was launched in 1990 and has been held every year in the second half of November...
2010.
Private life
Harriet Andersson had an affair with the FinnishFinland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
director Jörn Donner
Jörn Donner
Jörn Johan Donner is a Finnish writer, film director, actor, producer, politician, member of the Donner family and founder of Finnish Film Archive. He has been associated with several different political parties, and has at different times been a member both of the Finnish parliament and the...
, and she appeared in Donner's 1961 film, To Love. She gave birth to a daughter in 1960, naming her Petra after her character in Smiles of a Summer Night.
Selected filmography
- Summer with MonikaSummer with MonikaSummer with Monika is a 1953 Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It sparked controversy abroad for its frank depiction of nudity, and along with the film One Summer of Happiness from the year before, directed by Arne Mattsson, it started the reputation of Sweden as a sexually liberated...
(1952) - Sawdust and TinselSawdust and Tinsel-Plot:An aging circus ringmaster visits his estranged wife to see his young sons. Meanwhile, his jealous young lover has an affair with an actor.-Cast:* Åke Grönberg – Albert Johansson* Harriet Andersson – Anne* Hasse Ekman – Frans* Anders Ek – Frost...
(1953) - A Lesson in LoveA Lesson in LoveA Lesson in Love is a 1954 Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman.The film is a comedy by Ingmar Bergman and one of his early films. It deals with the marriage of David and his wife Marianne.The filmscore is by Dag Wirén.-Cast:...
(1954) - DreamsDreams (1955 film)-Plot:Susanne is the owner of a model agency in Stockholm. Doris, her most popular model, has an argument with her fiancé, Palle, just before she goes with Susanne to Gothenburg to be photographed in a new collection....
(1955) - Smiles of a Summer NightSmiles of a Summer NightSmiles of a Summer Night a.k.a. Smiles on a Summer Night is a 1955 Swedish comedy film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It was the first of Bergman's films to bring the director international success, due to its exposure at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival...
(1955) - Last Pair OutLast Pair OutLast Pair Out , is a 1956 Swedish drama film directed by Alf Sjöberg and written by Ingmar Bergman. It was entered into the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Eva Dahlbeck – Susanna Dahlin* Harriet Andersson – Anita...
(1956) - Through a Glass DarklyThrough a Glass Darkly (film)Through a Glass Darkly is a 1961 Swedish film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, and produced by Allan Ekelund. The film is a three-act "chamber film", in which four family members act as mirrors for each other. It is the first of many Bergman films to be shot on the island of Fårö...
(1961) - To Love (1961)
- Loving CouplesLoving Couples (1964 film)Loving Couples is a 1964 Swedish drama film directed by Mai Zetterling. It was entered into the 1965 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Harriet Andersson - Agda Frideborg* Gunnel Lindblom - Adele Holmström - née Silfverstjerna* Gio Petré - Angela von Pahlen...
(1964) - All These WomenAll These WomenAll These Women is a 1964 Swedish comedy film directed by Ingmar Bergman. Along with Smiles of a Summer Night, the film is one of the few comedy films ever made by Bergman...
(1964) - The Deadly AffairThe Deadly AffairThe Deadly Affair is a 1966 British espionage–thriller film, based on John le Carré's first novel Call for the Dead. The film stars James Mason, Harry Andrews, Simone Signoret and Maximilian Schell and was directed by Sidney Lumet from a script by Paul Dehn. In it George Smiley, the central...
(1966) - People Meet and Sweet Music Fills the HeartPeople Meet and Sweet Music Fills the HeartPeople Meet and Sweet Music Fills the Heart, , is a 1967 Danish/Swedish romantic comedy directed by Henning Carlsen and starring Harriet Andersson and Preben Neergaard...
(1967) - The GirlsThe Girls (film)-Cast:* Bibi Andersson as Liz* Harriet Andersson as Marianne* Gunnel Lindblom as Gunilla* Gunnar Björnstrand as Hugo* Erland Josephson as Carl* Frank Sundström as the doctor* Åke Lindström as Bengt* Stig Engström as Thommy* Ulf Palme as director-Release:...
(1968) - Kampf um Rom IKampf um Rom IKampf um Rom I is a 1968 West German historical drama film directed by Robert Siodmak, about Justinian's attempts to repel barbarian incursions and reclaim those parts of the empire already lost. Before screening it in the US in 1973 both parts were combined to one and shortened from over three...
(1968) - Kampf um Rom II (1969)
- Cries and WhispersCries and WhispersCries and Whispers is a 1972 Swedish film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Harriet Andersson, Kari Sylwan, Ingrid Thulin and Liv Ullmann. The film is set on a mansion at the end of the 19th century and is about two sisters who watch over their third sister on her deathbed, torn...
(1972) - Fanny and AlexanderFanny and AlexanderFanny and Alexander is a 1982 Swedish fantasy drama film written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. It was originally conceived as a four-part TV movie and cut in that version, spanning 312 minutes. A 188-minute version was created later for cinematic release, although this version was in fact the...
(1982) - The Blessed OnesThe Blessed OnesThe Blessed Ones is a 1986 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman, starring Harriet Andersson and Per Myrberg. The screenplay was adapted by Ulla Isaksson from her own novel with the same title. The film tells the story of a couple where the woman becomes delusional and loses her mind...
(1986) - Himmel og Helvede (1988)
- DogvilleDogvilleDogville is a 2003 drama written and directed by Lars von Trier, and starring Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Chloë Sevigny, Paul Bettany, Stellan Skarsgård, Udo Kier, and James Caan...
(2003)