Actress Liv Ullmann to receive lifetime award

From teen beauty to actress to director

Although she has been less in the public eye of late, Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann remains a major figure in European cinema. The child beauty that went to become an acclaimed actress and later accomplished director is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The accolade comes from the European Film Academy in recognition of her influence on the world of cinema as an actress, director and screenwriter.

Born in Tokyo, Ullmann’s early years took her from Canada to Norway, where she trained as an actress and joined the Norwegian National Theatre. Her life changed in the mid-1960s when she began a now-legendary collaboration with Ingmar Bergman. This partnership led to internationally acclaimed performances in films such as “Persona”, “Shame”, and “Cries and Whispers”, as well as “Scenes From a Marriage” and “Face to Face” - the latter earning her Oscar and BAFTA nominations.

Work with leading European actors and writers

Ullmann made her directorial debut with Sofie in 1992 and went on to direct “Kristin Lavransdatter”, “Private Confessions”, “Faithless” and “Miss Julie”, collaborating with leading European actors and writers, including Bergman himself.

Her impact on European film has been significant, winning nearly every major accolade, from honorary Norwegian Amanda and Swedish Guldbagge Awards to an Honorary Oscar.

Beyond the screen, Ullmann champions humanitarian causes as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and co-founder of the Women’s Refugee Commission. Her legacy is one of talent, compassion and relentless creativity.

(Michael Leahy. Photo: Nasjonalbiblioteket, CC BY 3.0)