The review discusses the first monograph about Ingmar Bergman in the Russian language. The author I. Rubanova refrains from a classical biography to offer an intellectual journey through the master filmmaker’s creations. In the scope of the book are works of a young Bergman as well as creations of an aging artist. Rubanova seems fascinated with Bergman’s lasting image in culture rather than the precise story of his directorial career. Dismissing the cliché about the artist as a loner, the author opens the way for new appreciation of I. Bergman. In the centre of Rubanova’s biographical sketches is Bergman’s little-known career as a playwright. Describing Bergman’s contemporary literary milieu, the author mentions his main influences. Rubanova points out that Bergman’s playwrighting follows the traditions of the national and world theatres, and describes it in terms of two main parallels: Strindberg – Bergman and Shakespeare – Bergman. Gleaning the smallest details relevant to Bergman’s image, Rubanova creates a story about the genius’s artistic evolution.