Set in an unnamed country amidst a civil war, “Shame” follows a couple, Jan and Eva, living an isolated rural life as violence gradually approaches. Without a radio or telephone, the two think of the war distantly, as a backdrop to their life.
One day, both factions of the war attack their surroundings, causing the emotional distance between the two to worsen as survival changes who they are. Director Ingmar Bergman avoids focusing on the war itself, instead focusing on the impact on these two ordinary individuals.
Though the reason for the war is never explicitly said, “Shame” reflects the anxieties of its time, particularly the global unease surrounding the Vietnam War. The film does not show a clear “good” or “bad” side, as interactions with both threaten Jan and Eva’s safety and well-being. The film becomes an interesting critique of war, showing the reality for average citizens caught in the crossfire.
George Colburn, president of the Wildcat Film Appreciation Society and a senior in English education, commented on the film’s historical backstory.
“The 1968 world, at least in the West, was certainly looking at Vietnam,” Colburn said. “It was the first TV war we’ve ever seen — plenty of reporters witnessing and broadcasting it, so it’s only natural for it to be represented in movies.”
Ethan Hayden, a senior in environmental science, found anti-war meaning behind locations within the film.
“They’re taken to elementary schools, places used as bases during wars and disasters,” Hayden explained. “But these are explicitly used for political violence. The juxtaposition between the two was interesting to see.”
Despite the late 1960s boom in colorized films, “Shame” remains in black and white, creating a bleak and oppressive environment with its high-contrast cinematography. The decision adds to the impact of the blindingly bright explosions, but, at certain times, the heavy darkness can make it difficult to follow along. Nevertheless, the darkness adds to the suffocating feeling of being in the middle of a war that a person cannot control, but affects them in every way.
The title of the film was an interesting topic among members of WFAS. Prasanth Chandran, Ph.D. candidate in psychology, explained the title through the characters’ transformations.
“In the beginning, Jan cannot bring himself to kill a chicken,” Chandran said. “But later on, he shoots a soldier without regret. The transformation between the two scenes represents how he has become desensitized and lost his shame.”
“Shame” is an incredible film capturing the psychological effects of war. Bergman creates an incredible narrative that shows how horrific war can be when it focuses on otherwise neutral people.
