Thank You Max Von Sydow

In 1980 when I was still quite young but still not so well informed, a great friend and I went to see the newest version of “Flash Gordon” by director Mike Hodges. I was completely amazed with everything I saw but especially with the actor who played the villain in the movie Emperor Ming an actor that I didn't even know very well but I remember that when I recommended the film for friends to watch I always mentioning to pay attention to the Great Max Von Sydow in the role of Emperor Ming without knowing his work before that film. But I thought that an actor with that name could not be any other than great. In my view, his name was important and it sounded just like it.

For my happiness and complete ignorance, I was wright about it. Probably the second time I saw him was in “Hannah and his Sisters” by Woody Allen in 1986 and right next year in “Pelle, the Conqueror” by Bille August. From then on, I never stopped exploring on video or in the cinema and improving my knowledge about this great actor.

One of the main actors of Ingmar Bergman and one of his favorites I certainly did not stop watching each film that he was in it ... and what a presence! His face that appears on the screen silent and mysterious like in "The Seventh Seal" or "The Magician" both movies by Bergman has an impacting and fascinating force even when the actor has no speech. It is as if he were acting even without text or any expression. Very few actors have or had this power to have such a strong face like Max Von Sydow did.

Today is the day after his death and I am still reflecting on his work (more than 163 performances as an actor according to IMDB.com). What impressive the work he left. The cinema yesterday was poorer but infinitely richer with its legacy. Thank you very much for the memories Max.