Sweden has lost its greatest filmmaker and one of the great names in theatre as well. He was 89 years old.

- Death came gently, says Eva Bergman to the Swedish news agency TT.

Bergman's death evokes sadness and grief in Swedish cultural circles. In spite of his age, and his health having deteriorated lately, the news is a shock to many.

- I guess we had reckoned that Ingmar Bergman would always be with us here, says Staffan Valdemar Holm, director of The National Theatre ”Dramaten”, to SvD.se. His significance for the theatre can not be overestimated, particularly not for this theatre, he adds.

Ingmar Bergman - his name is known all over the world. He was, without hyperbole, one of the greatest film directors the world has seen. With films such as The Seventh Seal, The Virgin Spring, The Silence and Persona he became famous far beyond his native country.

- From Beijing to Buenos Aires people watch his films and discuss them. I don't think Swedes realise how big a name he is abroad, says Åse Kleveland.

His artistic production includes around 40 films, more than 100 theatre productions and many tv productions. His directing, the lighting, the existensial topics - there is much signifying Bergman.

In film after film he showed his unique artistry. His films deal with difficult matters - death, anguish, life and divinity.

- What makes him unique is the way he puts life's big questions. They are about man's vulnerability, the fear of a non-existent God and the inability to fulfill your own ideals, says Cissi Elwin, director of the Swedish Film Institute.

- His greatness is founded on the combination of deeply human issues and the visual experience, says Cissi Elwin.
Ingmar Bergman's interest in film started early in life. There, in the nursery in Stockholm where his father was a priest, Ingmar played with a ”cinematograph” (a rudimentary projector) - a game that became the start of a life-long passion.

His career started in theatre. His breakthrough came as director at Dramatikerstudion 1943.

His life in film started with the screenplay for Frenzy 1944 and as a director of Crisis 1945. But he did not become really famous until 1960 with the film The Virgin Spring, which was awarded an Oscar.

Other much acclaimed films are The Seventh Seal, Persona, Wild Strawberries, The Silence, Cries and Whisper and Fanny and Alexander.