LIV ULLMANN – A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Norway, United Kingdom | 2023 | 102 min

An iconic face of post-World War II art-house cinema, Liv Ullmann talks candidly and passionately in the documentary directed by Dheeraj Akolkar, discussing her life from her childhood in Norway to her decisive meeting with Bergman, through her directing career, her commitment to humanitarian causes, and the Lifetime Achievement Academy Award she received in 2022. The open-hearted conversation alternates with sequences of her most famous films and rare behind-the-scenes footage. The film is also interspersed with short sequences in which Ullmann reads extracts from her books Changing (1977) and Choices (1984) that convey her sense of compassion and curiosity about the world, her desire for commitment, and her ability to reflect on her own life choices. Plus, although her immense stature as an artist needs no further confirmation, a number of statements by Hollywood stars of the calibre of Cate Blanchett and Jessica Chastain show their gratitude and deep admiration for one of the most extraordinary actresses in film history. (a.s.)