THE FILM WORLD LOSES TWO OF THE GREATEST DIRECTORS

Ingmar Bergmann in a 1956 photo.


STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedes on Tuesday mourned internationally acclaimed filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, praising the artistic mastery that had not always been appreciated in his homeland.

The 89-year-old director, who died in his sleep at home on Monday, was hailed as "one of Sweden's greatest" luminaries by news media that often had ignored him or belittled his achievements during a career that spanned five decades.

Flags nationwide flew at half-staff in honor of the man whom King Carl XVI Gustaf called "one of Sweden's greatest directors and dramatists of all time."

TV and radio dedicated hours to his memory; newspapers filled pages about his life and work, and film buffs set up special Web sites.

"Perhaps his genius was sometimes too great for a small country," the Aftonbladet tabloid said in an editorial.