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On acting to daughter Isabella Rossellini: Keep it simple. Make a blank face and the music and the story will fill it in.
Ingrid Bergman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The essence of performance lies in simplicity, allowing the story to unfold naturally.

In this quote, Ingrid Bergman emphasizes the importance of simplicity in acting. By advising her daughter to maintain a blank expression, she suggests that the true depth of emotion and story will be conveyed through the music and narrative, rather than through overacting or complex expressions. This approach encourages authenticity and allows the audience to connect more deeply with the performance.

Themes

SimplicityActingPerformanceEmotionStorytelling

In practice

Example use cases

During a theater workshop, one could share this quote to emphasize the value of simplicity in performance.

More from Ingrid Bergman

I remember one day sitting at the pool and suddenly the tears were streaming down my cheeks. Why was I so unhappy? I had success. I had security. But it wasn't enough. I was exploding inside.
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The best way to keep young is to keep going in whatever it is that keeps you going. With me that's work, and a lot of it. And when a job is finished, relax and have fun.
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You must train your intuition - you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.
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Be yourself. The world worships the original.
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I won't do this movie because I don't believe the love story," she told Selznick. "The heroine is an intellectual woman, and an intellectual woman simply can't fall in love so deeply.
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One is never too old for romance.
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