The Touch (originally titled Beröringen) is a film directed by Ingmar Bergman. It's the story of a married woman falling in love with another man. The married couple - Max von Sydow and Bibi Andersson - live in fine rapport, their personalities matching well. Both are quiet, contemplative, and very rational persons, not liable to act spontaneous. The intruder - Elliott Gould - on the idyll which they embody together with their teenaged daughter is in contrast an impetuous man, uncompromising, overbearing, and tormented by inner contradictions and compulsions. Andersson tells him at one point that he hates himself. The two clandestine lovers aren't appropriate for each other. They have difficulties to accept the other's social behaviour and stance and don't like it to lie to their environments. But soon they cannot live without each other anymore. Film refers to the celluloid media on which movies are printed. ... Ingmar Bergman â–¶ (help· info) (pronounced in Swedish, but usually in English, IPA in Unicode notation) (born July 14, 1918) is a Swedish stage and film director who is one of the key film auteurs of the second half of the twentieth century. ... Max von Sydow as Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon (help· info) (born April 10, 1929) is a Swedish actor, known in particular for his collaboraton with Ingmar Bergman. ... Bibi Andersson (born 11 November 1935 in Stockholm) is a Swedish actress. ... Elliott Gould Elliott Gould (born Elliott Goldstein on August 29, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York), a graduate of the Professional Childrens School, was one of the most prominent American film actors in the early 1970s, best known for playing Trapper John in Robert Altmans satirical 1970 film MASH...

The point of the film cannot be to show how two contrary characters complement each other, as Andersson was even more happy with von Sydow before and because it's all told in such a detached manner. The portrait of a love would like to involve the spectators to convey the joy and pain of it. Instead the question why Andersson turns away from von Sydow toward Gould seems intentionally perplexing. The dialogues and acting of the lovers is cerebral and cold, as if they were reciting dazedly on a stage, astounding themselves with their actions and feelings. As if they were actuating on an impulse isolate from their personalities. This impulse or drive is not eros, as especially at the beginning of their affaire sex is more a problem than a fulfilment to these two diffident lovers. Maybe love or the need to feel and give love is itself such a drive, an autonomous thing asserting itself regardless of the circumstances and the characters involved.

The central metaphor of the film is a medieval wooden statue of Mary, recently excavated after being buried for centuries - like Gould's and Andersson's potential to be lovers or man and woman. But with the disinterment of the Mary there also come alive insect larvae inside her, corroding her from within. Before they meet Gould attempted suicide and Andersson was reduced to a wife. They flower in their new love and it destroys their lives.

Civilization means in many ways the domestication of our impulses. Therefore Andersson realizes that she must not harm lastingly her family and Gould's hidden wife/sister. This is true. But Gould is telling her that she is lying to herself by not eloping with him and he's right, too.

WHO ARE THE TOUCH?

Jason Winder, Drums and Percussion - 18 Andy Kniveton, Bass guitar and backing vocals - 19 George Quinn, Guitar and lead vocals - 20

A trio of young lads hailing from Bradford, England. Playin fresh, fuzzy, spacey blues rock. They perform with immense soul, passion and urgency, and shows are loud, moving, and full of energy.

"We formed in 2002, then slimmed down to a 3-piece in 2004. We draw influences from many artists but The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Cream and the stompy progressive blues of prime Led Zeppelin usually come out on top...

...We have played most venues over the North of England and further affield, however we are touring the UK in May ’06. Our music has found its way into HMV, and our latest single is available exclusively via Chromium Records and will soon be released into all major download stores. Grab it quick!”

Hazy, Bluesy, stompy, rip-roaring rock ‘n’ roll.

www.thetouchUK.com www.myspace.com/thetouchUK

Cast (in credits order)

• Elliott Gould (David Kovac)
• Bibi Andersson (Karin Vergerus)
• Max von Sydow (Andreas Vergerus)
• Sheila Reid (Sara Kovac)

Elliott Gould Elliott Gould (born Elliott Goldstein on August 29, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York), a graduate of the Professional Childrens School, was one of the most prominent American film actors in the early 1970s, best known for playing Trapper John in Robert Altmans satirical 1970 film MASH... Bibi Andersson (born 11 November 1935 in Stockholm) is a Swedish actress. ... Max von Sydow as Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon (help· info) (born April 10, 1929) is a Swedish actor, known in particular for his collaboraton with Ingmar Bergman. ...

Rest of cast listed alphabetically

• Margareta Byström (Secretary to Andreas Vergerus) (uncredited)
• Elsa Ebbesen (Hospital Matron) (uncredited)
• Dennis Gotobed (English civil servant) (uncredited)
• Staffan Hallerstam (Anders Vergerus) (uncredited)
• Barbro Hiort af Ornäs (Karin's mother) (uncredited)
• Åke Lindström (Dr. Holm) (uncredited)
• Ann-Christin Lobråten (Museum employee) (uncredited)
• Karin Nilsson (Neighbour) (uncredited)
• Maria Nolgård (Agnes Vergerus) (uncredited)
• Erik Nyhlén (The Archeologist) (uncredited)
• Bengt Ottekil (Bell boy) (uncredited)
• Alan Simon (Therapist at museum) (uncredited)
• Per Sjöstrand (Therapist) (uncredited)
• Aino Taube (Woman on stairs) (uncredited)
• Mimmo Wåhlander (Nurse) (uncredited)
• Carol Zavis (Stewardess) (uncredited)