Step into the lush, candlelit world of Fanny and Alexander, Ingmar Bergman’s evocative masterpiece set in early 20th-century Sweden. Through the eyes of two young siblings, the film explores the joys and complexities of family life during the holidays. With its sumptuous visuals, heartfelt drama, and timeless reflections on love and loss, this Academy Award-winning classic offers a warm, immersive holiday experience unlike any other—a nostalgic escape into a bygone era, rich with festive feasts and poignant storytelling.
"My relationship with the holidays is fraught with mixed emotions. But one film that always stands out to me, with an appealing Yuletide glow in my memory, is Ingmar Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander. I got a VHS copy of the film from our local library in high school, and I was entranced with the scenes from Scandinavian Christmas and fantasized about living in such a decadent turn of the century Swedish household. All of the candles and flags and evergreen create a captivating mise en scene and the family dynamics are relatable. When an intergenerational line of Ekdahls snakes through the house singing a rambunctious carol, it makes me want to time travel and join them, in spite of myself. There’s nothing commercial about it, which is refreshing this time of year." -- KJ Mohr, SNF Parkway