He was a filmmaker who thought Ingmar Bergman’s movies showed a false image of Sweden abroad; his view was defined by the working class. Ironically, Bo Widerberg came to resemble Bergman in many ways: creating international hits, turning into a domineering, towering figure on set, and engaging in affairs with different women.

This documentary illustrates, through interviews with famous colleagues, archive footage and film clips, why he was revered as an artist and also addresses his personal demons, including bouts of depression, the occasional cruel streak and chaotic leadership.

Engrossing, both as a piece of film history and as a portrait of a complex, flawed man.

2025-Sweden. 105 min. Color-B/W. Directed by Jon Asp, Mattias Nohrborg. Screenplay: Jon Asp. 

Trivia: Original title: I huvudet på Bo. Alternative title: Bo Being Bo Widerberg. Among those interviewed: Stellan Skarsgård, Olivier Assayas, Ruben Östlund, Tarik Saleh, Roy Andersson, Marika Lagercrantz, Stina Ekblad, Evabritt Strandberg, Tommy Berggren, Pia Degermark, Harald Hamrell, Jan Troell, Mia Hansen-Løve, Lisa Langseth, Peter Schildt.

Last word: “I met Bergman more because he always booked up films that I was distributing. He had his own cinema. Widerberg had so much energy. He was always running. That is my memory. He was always doing something.” (Nohrborg on meeting both directors in the past, Business Doc Europe)