Bergman's film notes "Winter Light": the echo of the other

Timmy 2022-01-12 08:01:36

This poem by Emily Dickinson suddenly reminded me of the incomparably great "Winter Light". There are many similarities between the two. Although each adopts a different art form, there is a hidden similarity.
Yu Guangzhong's translation is slightly better.
Compared with the movie, the information and state of this poem is obviously inferior. Of course, this inferiority lies more in its insufficient detailed description of the content. After all, it is limited to the genre form, which is demanding. The inferiority of the state is that the explanation of the psychological atmosphere in the poem is somewhat lacking.

Both translations of this poem are now copied below.

1. (Yu Guangzhong translation)

winter afternoon often have a

ramp down to glow

oppressed us, that as the weight of

the Cathedral of the piano sound



it gives us divine the trauma

we can not find the mark

only a change of heart due

to their Meaning is preserved.



No one can make it feel that

it is the brand of despair.

An incomparably beautiful pain is

passed on to us by the atmosphere.



When it comes, all the four fields are listening to the

shadow and holding your breath.

When it goes, it is as far away as we

look forward to death. Distance

2. (The translator does not know)

There is a kind of oblique light

in the winter afternoon-

repressed, like

the weight of the cathedral music-



the harm of heaven, it comes to

us but we can't find the scar

but the inner difference

implies There is



something no one can teach sincerely --any--

this is a trace of despair--

It seems that a solemn distress

comes from the sky-



when it comes, the mountains and rivers are listening-the

shadows-and holding their breath-

when it leaves, it is like the face of death in the distance

View more about Winter Light reviews

Extended Reading

Winter Light quotes

  • Algot Frövik, Sexton: The passion of Christ, his suffering... Wouldn't you say the focus on his suffering is all wrong?

    Tomas Ericsson, Pastor: What do you mean?

    Algot Frövik, Sexton: This emphasis on physical pain. It couldn't have been all that bad. It may sound presumptuous of me - but in my humble way, I've suffered as much physical pain as Jesus. And his torments were rather brief. Lasting some four hours, I gather? I feel that he was tormented far worse on an other level. Maybe I've got it all wrong. But just think of Gethsemane, Vicar. Christ's disciples fell asleep. They hadn't understood the meaning of the last supper, or anything. And when the servants of the law appeared, they ran away. And Peter denied him. Christ had known his disciples for three years. They'd lived together day in and day out - but they never grasped what he meant. They abandoned him, to the last man. And he was left alone. That must have been painful. Realizing that no one understands. To be abandoned when you need someone to rely on - that must be excruciatingly painful. But the worse was yet to come. When Jesus was nailed to the cross - and hung there in torment - he cried out - "God, my God!" "Why hast thou forsaken me?" He cried out as loud as he could. He thought that his heavenly father had abandoned him. He believed everything he'd ever preached was a lie. The moments before he died, Christ was seized by doubt. Surely that must have been his greatest hardship? God's silence.

    Tomas Ericsson, Pastor: Yes...

  • Märta Lundberg, Schoolteacher: God, why have you created me so eternally dissatisfied? So frightened, so bitter? Why must I realize how wretched I am? Why must I suffer so hellishly for my insignificance? If there is a purpose to my suffering, then tell me, so I can bear my pain without complaint. I'm strong. You made me so very strong in both body and soul, but you never give me a task worthy of my strength. Give my life meaning, and I'll be your obedient slave.