Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

Bibi Andersson: Katarina

Photos 

Quotes 

• Peter : August Strindberg once said, "Could there be anything more terrifying than a husband and wife who hate each other?" What do you say? Child abuse could possibly be worse. But then again, Katarina and I are children. Deep down, Katarina is a little girl who cries because no one comforts her when she falls. And in the opposite corner, I'm a little boy who cries because Katarina can't love me. Even though I'm bad and mean to her.

  Katarina : Well, on the bright side, there can't possibly be anything worse than this.

• Peter : Next week, I'll call Marianne and have her arrange for our divorce.

  Katarina : Unfortunately, Peter will back down again before he sobers up. The adding machine will start running, you see.

• Peter : So you think you're so bloody irreplaceable, my dear Katarina? Just when did this occur to you? That would be interesting to know. Couldn't you tell me? Tell us?

  Katarina : You force me to have sex with you, since you can't get it up with anyone else.

• Katarina : Forgive me for being so frank, but Peter's challenging the truth, and he needs to be enlightened. I want you to know this: I find you utterly repulsive. In a physical sense, I mean. I could buy a lay from anyone just to wash you out of my genitals.

• Peter : Katarina is a businessman. With equal emphasis on both parts of the word. Business... man. She's also a brilliant artist. And she has an IQ of I don't know what. And she's attractive, too. A real gem in a stunning package. How such a paragon could ever spread her legs for me is a mystery.

  Katarina : I think it's time to call a cab and go home. It can't be pleasant for Johan and Marianne to witness a scene like this.

  Peter : Johan and Marianne! They're candy figurines wrapped in red ribbons, like the gift-wrapped marzipan pigs of our childhood. It'll do their souls good to catch a glimpse of the depths of hell.

• Johan : One thing gets me: My eyes didn't get a mention. Don't they shine with a secret light?

  Katarina : They're more like dark pools. The effect is quite sexy.