Though often overlooked, art directors bring much to a film’s look and overall feel. Lundgren’s sets are almost as much a part of a film as the actors; his carefully chosen locations add a valuable component to the story.
Throughout Lundgren’s career, he has been most often been recognized for his work with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. The two have collaborated on many films, including Smiles of a Summer Night, The Seventh Seal, The Magician, The Virgin Spring, The Devil’s Eye, Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light , The Silence and Shame. While Bergman’s films are often microscopic views of dramatic relationships, the background plays a crucial role in telling his stories. In The Seventh Seal , Lundgren provided Bergman with the perfect setting to tell the story of a 14th-century knight playing chess with Death. The opening shot of waves lapping the rocky beach as the knight, Max Von Sydow, lies beaten on the shore sets the mood for the entire film. Lundgren’s stark, bare… read more
Though often overlooked, art directors bring much to a film’s look and overall feel. Lundgren’s sets are almost as much a part of a film as the actors; his carefully chosen locations add a valuable component to the story.
Throughout Lundgren’s career, he has been most often been recognized for his work with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. The two have collaborated on many films, including Smiles of a Summer Night, The Seventh Seal, The Magician, The Virgin Spring, The Devil’s Eye, Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light , The Silence and Shame. While Bergman’s films are often microscopic views of dramatic relationships, the background plays a crucial role in telling his stories. In The Seventh Seal , Lundgren provided Bergman with the perfect setting to tell the story of a 14th-century knight playing chess with Death. The opening shot of waves lapping the rocky beach as the knight, Max Von Sydow, lies beaten on the shore sets the mood for the entire film. Lundgren’s stark, bare visuals allow us to understand the bleakness of life and the challenge of a game with Death when there is nothing left to lose. As the film continues, the man is left alone with nature, where he must fend for himself. Bergman’s wide shots coupled with Lundgren’s scenery make The Seventh Seal what Roger Ebert refers to as “one of Bergman’s most visual films.”
While Lundgren did not work exclusively with Bergman, he did work mainly with Swedish directors. In 1977 he coproduced The American Dream while acting as production designer. —Robert Dixter
