MovieChat Forums > En passion (1970) Discussion > A favorite symbol

A favorite symbol

posted 15 years ago by jlent
2 replies | jump to latest

Sometimes Bergman's symbols hit you over the head, sometimes they're a bit more subtle if not altogether subliminal.
One of my favorites is in "A Passion" - at the end of the movie, the little stuffed animal that dangles from Anna's rear view mirror as Andreas confronts her about her lies.
The dangling bear (or whatever it is) reminds the viewer of how Andreas found his dog and connects that cruelty to the cruelty that is going on in the car from Andreas, even though, yes, he's right that Anna likely killed her own husband and son - her own cruelty.
(Anna's followup, "I came to ask your forgiveness" is heartbreaking.)
So much going on in that scene. I guess that's why people would call it the climax.

[–] TheRationalist 15 years ago

good post, these are important perceptions you bring up.

My favorite opera is Die Valkure. I've always loved horses.

[–] rayincumbria 14 years ago

Thanks jlent, that is very helpful in understanding.. (especialy as my MGM Dvd missed the crucial 'dog hanging' scene, so I was unable to see your point.)

few visible scars