Maaret Koskinen is Professor of Cinema Studies at the University of Stockholm.

"The Silence(1963) was confronted by a barrage of criticism over its depiction of sexuality upon its release, violating many of the censorship principles of the Swedish and American film boards in the 1960s. Bergman’s narrative maps a tale of sexual jealousy and psychological distain between two sisters, one of whom is afflicted by a debilitating illness. Accompanied by the young son of one of the sisters, the estranged family embark on a trip to a fictitious European country on the precipice of war. Bergman’s work is discussed in relation to how it established an international barometer for Sweden’s cultural cinematic canon. Koskinen, however, fosters a dialogue on Bergman that dislocates him and his films from this auteurist lionisation that has come to characterize his oeuvre in its entirety. By forfeiting these often inscribed views projected onto Bergman throughout his career, Koskinen allows for a fresh perspective on his cinema, and particularly the significance of his 1963 production.The Silence, a text often overlooked in favour of the residual Persona(1966). Koskinen synergizes a discussion of The Silence not only in terms of its temporal, socio-political relevance, but as a self-reflexive commentary on censorship itself." - Kate Moffat, Cinema Scandinavia, Spring 2015