Brink of Life

ngmar Bergman's acclaimed aesthetic style and knack for subtle storytelling are beautifully achieved in Brink of Life, which garnered a Best Director award for Bergman and a shared Best Actress award for its three lead actresses at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival.

Three expectant mothers meet in a maternity ward, each at different stages of pregnancy. As they suffer through several issues faced during pregnancy-miscarriages, the difficulty of labour, the stress of an unwanted child-they are given new perspectives on life and relationships, and ultimately find comfort in one another. The gritty subject matter-which also offers a harsh perception of the lack of emotion in modern medicine-is perfectly complemented by Bergman's naturalistic directorial style. It is this style, together with the powerful performances of his female leads, which makes Brink of Life a compelling example of Bergman's artistry.

Language: Swedish