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Sean Connery narrates a Swedish cinematographer's dad's colonial guilt trip in 30 minutes.
TMDB
90

The Vocation (1974)

intimatehauntingarchival fever dream

Overview

Documentary

Sven Nykvist, best known as Ingmar Bergman cinematographer, made this film as a tribute to his father who was a missionary in Kongo in the early 20th century. The story of his father Gustav Natanael Nykvist is told through his own photos, letters, and films. Director & cinematographer: Sven Nykvist. Narrators in the English dubbed version: Liv Ullmann & Sean Connery. Produced by Ingmar Bergman (Cinematograph AB). Digitally restored in 2022.

Flag of SESESwedish
Content warning
africamissionarycongo

Standout Aspects

Cinematography

Nykvist ghost-directs his father's ghost through old footage.

Direction

Bergman produced, but this is pure paternal elegy.

Best for:Solo: Late night existential spiral material.·Rewatch: Catch Nykvist's framing choices on second viewing.
Heads up:Disturbing: Colonial-era attitudes and imagery, unflinchingly presented.
Sven Nykvist

Director

Sven Nykvist

ReleasedApr 2, 1974
Runtime30m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Cinematograph AB

Top Cast

Erland Josephson

Erland Josephson

Narrator (voice)

Harriet Andersson

Harriet Andersson

Narrator (voice)

Sean Connery

Sean Connery

Narrator (voice)

Liv Ullmann

Liv Ullmann

Narrator (voice)

Ask about The Vocation

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Nykvist shot 21 Bergman films; this was his only directorial work. Bergman bankrolled it as a favor.

Cultural

The Congo footage was shot during Belgian colonial rule—decades before Lumumba's assassination and Zaire's birth.

YouTube

Vocation (1973)-clip

Vocation (1973)-clip

Gallery

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