Scenes from a Marriage is a 1973 Swedish television series (later edited and released as a feature film) directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Liv Ullmann and Erland Josephson. The six-episode series follows the lives of Johan and Marianne, a married couple in their thirties who appear to have a perfect life, but soon reveal the cracks in their relationship.
The first episode introduces the couple as they are interviewed by a television journalist about their marriage, which seems happy and stable. However, over the course of the series, it becomes clear that their relationship is troubled and undergoing a crisis. Johan admits to having an affair with a younger woman, and Marianne is devastated by the revelation. They separate and pursue other relationships, but they are still drawn to each other and make attempts to reconcile.
Through their conversations and interactions, the couple explores the complexities of their emotions, relationships, and identity. The series explores themes of love, marriage, fidelity, and honesty, as well as the struggles and contradictions of modern relationships. It presents a deeply personal and intimate portrayal of the characters' lives, feelings, and motivations, which resonated with audiences around the world and garnered critical acclaim.
Scenes from a Marriage is considered one of Bergman's most important works, and one of the greatest works of Nordic cinema. It has been highly influential in the field of art-house filmmaking and has been adapted and referenced in several other films, television series, and works of literature. It is regarded as a classic of contemporary cinema and as a landmark in the portrayal of relationships and human emotions on screen.
