Screen Self-Reflection: Classification of Species

Abstract

This article is devoted to the phenomenon of filmic self-reflection and its variations basing on I. Bergmans Wild Strawberries / Smultronstllet, Hour Of The Wolf / Vargtimmen, The Seventh Seal / Det sjunde inseglet. The differentiation between the notions of the authors filmic self-reflection and the characters self-reflection is marked. The author of the article draws out the notion of the helmers self-reflection and the characters one through the examples from other disciplines (philosophy, psychology, literary criticism). The analysis of the authors filmic self-reflection and the characters reflection is carried out basing on the films by I. Bergman and in the context of his subsequent statements. Since Bergman is both director and scriptwriter of majority of his films, he grounds them on his personal experience and emotional baggage. Notwithstanding this fact the scenes of these films are not precise reproduction of the reality. Based on sensual experience they are meticulously developed in its dramatic aspect. The characters self-reflection in the plots of Wild Strawberries, Hour Of The Wolf and The Seventh Seal is considered as a screenwriting tool that could help to expose the versatility of their interior worlds. Three kinds of characters selfreflection are pointed out: retrospective, introspective and prospective. Retrospective self-reflection is described on the example of Wild Strawberries. Permanent reference of the protagonist Isak Borg to the different milestones of his life becomes the principal tool of the plotting. Such kind of film narration gives an opportunity to highlight the emotional state of the hero and to unfold his way of thinking. As an example of introspective self-reflection Hour of The Wolf is analyzed. Here self-reflection of the protagonist also serves as the basis of the story. However Uhan Borg (unlike his namesake Isak Borg) does not do a journey through all his life lived but wanders in the labyrinths of his creative consciousness. Prospective filmic self-reflection is clarified on the example of The Seventh Seal. Fear of upcoming death of Knight Block is personified in the image of Angel of Death. Such the tool allows to reveal the thoughts of the characters about their future, to express their fears and dreams.