Martin (Hasse Ekman), a young filmmaker, is approached by his former mathematics teacher, who proposes the idea of making a film that depicts the world as hell, controlled by the devil.  Martin becomes entangled with Birgitta (Doris Svedlund), a young woman trapped in a cycle of despair; her tragic circumstances, compounded by her relationship with a manipulative and abusive partner, bring Martin closer to the darker aspects of human existence. Bergman’s fascinating exploration of the moral narcissism of filmmaking was the first he directed from his own original screenplay and is one of his earliest films to reveal his preoccupation with existential questions and human suffering.

Notes by David O’Mahony.

This film screens as part of BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL: THE FILMS OF INGMAR BERGMAN.

See the full collection of films on IFI@Home, launching February 1st.