On Doubles and Revelations: ‘The Double Life of Véronique’ (Krzysztof Kieślowski, 1992)

My mother and brother were standing there, with their backs to me. I must have walked very stealthily, because they remained unaware of my presence. "Hey, what are you doing?", I asked. They both shuddered and turned towards me. What I remember most is their looks of astonishment. As happens in the movies after a character has seen a ghost, they were awestruck and could barely speak. "We … thought … you were there", mumbled my brother signalling the window. He invited me to come closer so that I could see it for myself...

Isak’s Tale: ‘Fanny and Alexander’ (Ingmar Bergman, 1982)

The sequence is part of the fifth chapter – titled “Demons” – of the TV version of 'Fanny and Alexander'. When it takes place, we have already been immersed in the misfortunes of the Ekdahl family for more than four hours. Isak Jakobi has managed to rescue Fanny and Alexander from their wicked stepfather, Vergérus, whose abuses have become intolerable. Isak shelters the siblings at his labyrinthine residence, shows them the room where they will sleep and proceeds to read them a story...