Ingmar Bergman, 1918 — 2007

Ingmar BergmanFilmmaker Ingmar Bergman died in his home in Faro, Sweden, today. He was 89.

He was an influential and prolific director, whose best-known works included "The Seventh Seal" and "Wild Strawberries."

Bergman's films were rich with symbolism and often explored weighty philosophical themes, but they did so on a human scale.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Bergman had no shortage of admirers.

He inspired generations of filmmakers, ranging from the comic Woody Allen to the horror master Wes Craven. Some have even traced influences from Bergman's work to the popular TV show "Lost."

Allen once wrote that Bergman was, "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera."

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)