Ronald Bergan
Ronald Bergan’s letters: a selection
On 5/15/18, Maya Bogojevic wrote:
Dear Ronald,
I hope you are better now & your head is "cooler"? :) I enjoyed very much your fb posts :)
New Camera Lucida is out- after much Sisyphus' work- and I am exhausted once the (voluntary) work has been completed... We reproduced some of your obits quoting the source of course. Thank you for being part of this crazy enthustiastic cinephile team surviving 8 years on- hasta la victoria siempre :)
I hope you like it.
On 21 June 2018 at 15:52, ronald bergan wrote:
I've been meaning to contact you for some time, but being 'well meaning' is a pejorative adjective. Please accept my belated congratulations on your latest and greatest Camera Lucida. You are a wonder among the vanishing band of film critics rather than reviewers…Thanks also for including me in such exalted company.
Among a few problems (or 'issues' as most people say.- eg.'he has relationship issues'), I won't bore you with, I must now face the stark fact that I have to get a new laptop urgently. I have a Mac that is almost as ancient as its owner and no longer functioning as it should. It has become very slooow and no longer supports most updated browsers. As attached as I am to it, like an old dog, it must be put down. Unfortunately, I'm rather skint at the moment (many unforeseen debts etc) and cannot yet (I'm owed quite a bit) afford a new Mac. (I've always been a Mac - iavellian.) The main thing I miss at the moment is Youtube on which I depend for most of my entertainment and which I use for showing clips in class. I see very few films due to language and/or quality.. However, I'll be at the Karlovy Vary film festival for 5 days where I'll see more films than is good for one's health and sanity. Last year at Karlsbad was quite good. (You can google my past reports.)
We've decided to stay one more year in Prague i.e. two semesters.The two schools - FMU, the national film school, and the American college both want me to stay. I must have done something right. Although it's rather sapping - as a ham actor I use a lot of energy - I enjoy teaching and the majority of students are lovable in a naive way. I also feel that I should take advantage of being able to earn a wage, no matter how miniscule, at my age. However, the idea of returning to the Disunited Kingdom does not appeal but we don't have much choice. By the way, I've recovered from my age of anxiety.
I've been following you on Farcebook on which you seem to be having a good time and also expressing the woes of living in a Trump and Brexit and other populist scumbags. What are your plans for the near future? Do any of them include a visit to Kafka's old stamping ground? I believe you will be on a jury in Palic. I was there some years ago. All I remember is being bitten by Serbian mosquitoes.
Speaking of being bitten, may I heartily recommend an audio book of my Renoir bio? It's brilliantly read. I was quite absorbed.
On 6/28/18, Maya Bogojevic wrote:
Dear Ronald,
You are never late answering, especially as reading your letters is a special treat, incomparable to anything else. Taking time to write to me and on a malfunctioning computer :) - such a witty and illuminating letter means a world to me. Plus, you sent this email on my (our) special day "day of Camera Lucida", which always brings back some nice memories from our inaugural festivity in Podgorica. Thank you for all your best wishes and your support! My apologies this time for being late in writing back and to back up my apology, I'll start from the tail of your letter…
On 27 July 2018 at 14:02, ronald bergan wrote:
Maya, dear, thanks for bringing back very fond memories of the MOFFEM. (I'm unable to post on fb.) What a pity that it was a one-off! The problem is that you are all a 'tough and aggressive' people. Did you enjoy Palic? Did the bugs leave you alone? If so then they probably knew you were tough and aggressive.
We spent 5 pleasant days in Karlovy Vary, although we walked out of more films than we stayed in. The Eyes of Orson Welles is an excellent personal film essay by Mark Cousins, which actually finds something new to say about Welles. However, I argue with his reductionist view that most of the inspiration of Welles' films derives from his drawings and painterly eye. The winning film was, coincidentally, the best film I saw in KV. A Romanian-Czech co-production, it joins the list of long-title films; "I Do Not Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians" was about Romanian collaboration during WW2 and under the Soviets. It reminded me of Wajda's Man Of Marble..Putin's Witnesses was a topical doc, although the material was intimate footage of Vlad when he took power all those years ago.
Because of my ailing laptop - my browser is out of date and beyond rejuvenation - I finally succumbed and bought a smart phone (I-Phone), which I regret. I haven't got the hang of it. In fact, it's driving me more crazy than I was. It makes me like my dumb phone even more and I can't wait to get back to a laptop. (When I can afford one. As I explained, I've always been a Maciavellian.) Maybe I'm just not smart enough. The I-Phone is far too small to watch YouTube films etc. I'll probably throw it in the river. I may follow it.
It seems as though you are thinking of leaving the Balkans. With your qualifications, personality, looks and linguistic skills, you should be able to find somewhere to thrive. But where? is the question in this fucked up Trumpistic world.
At the moment we're pretty stressed because we have to be out of our flat by September 9. We are trying to find somewhere large enough spatially, and low enough in rental.
Dear Ronald,
I hope you are well. I miss discussing avec you the world political craziness & idiotism. Maybe a new "revolution" is happening? After Paris, Balkans is burning with protests, too.
New Camera Lucida will be out soon and we reproduced your obits, quoting the source of course. I hope you'll like it :)
Thanks & love & xxx for you and Catriona
Maja
On Tue, 4 Jun 2019 at 17:28, Ronald Bergan wrote:
Maja dear, the Invisible Man returns.
Sorry that I’ve not contacted you sooner. I should have sent you my heartfelt congratulations on your superior illuminating magazine. Bravo! Bis! Bis!
I’ve been fairly busy passing on what knowledge I have on cinema to millennials who seem to come from another planet. I have also been writing a book entitled, at the moment, Diary of a Neurotic.
We’ve also decided to stay in Praha ha for one more semester, at least till Brekshit is settled. It seems that if the Disunited Kingdom leaves the EU then there is chance that Scotland would stay...
Knowing that Herceg Novi is more or less chez toi I thought I might apply for a Fedeora jury. What’s the fest like? It looks as pretty as Kotor of which I have great memories.
I hope you are happy and healthy. What are you doing these days besides being seen enjoying yourself at various fests?
Lots of love
Ronald
Ronald Bergan
Thu, 1 Nov 2018, 16:03
to me
Maya dear,
Sorry about my long silence. I blame my chronic laziness. I should do more writing but teaching is becoming to take more than it gives. I will quit in spring next year and return to the unknown i.e. UK. It’s good of you to still have faith in me and are also willing to print my old pieces. I hope to have something new for your next but one CL. Meanwhile I continue to bid farewell to some film people. (There are few and few left that interest me.)
How are you and what and who keeps you busy?
Ronald Bergan
Sun, 9 Dec 2018, 09:29
to me
Maya, dear, I’ve just discovered your welcome and touching birthday greetings. Good to know I’m not forgotten although I’ve been out of the festival whirl for some time. I feel a little isolated here in Prague. Also I can only see films in English or French due to the lack of understanding the incomprehesible Czech subtitles. The main negative side of my sojourn here is linguistic. For example- having to mime “mustard” in the supermarket. Toilet paper is not so difficult.
I envy you your fest going and seeing films such as The Load which sounds just my cup of poison in your brilliant critique. I hope it comes here. You reference God(ard) which gets me all excited. Touch of Straub?
I will try to get round to some writing after the semester ends. I’ve been very lazy lately or just tired from teaching.
Thanks so much for sending me the article and keeping in touch. It helps to lessen the virtual isolation. We have little social life (mostly chosen). I await the future of Ukania with much trepidation. Hope you feel more secure in this mad mad mad world.
Ronald Bergan
Mon, 24 Jun 2019, 12:31
to me
Life doesn’t always work out very well. It will be the first time in almost 20 years that I will not be attending KV. The reasons for not going this year outweigh the reasons to go. I will miss you both literally and figuratively.
Ronald Bergan
Mon, 29 Jul 2019, 15:25
to me
I agree. Frightening and anger inspiring. Politics today is very depressing. At least you will be in Europe.
Hope you’re feeling better.
Ronald Bergan
Sat, 3 Aug 2019, 09:01
to me
At the moment we’re trying to survive without a summer salary. You seem to have much to look forward to despite your back trouble. Do you have a good doctor? My minor physical problems are not treatable. They are due to stress. Worries about the future in the UK.
Ronald Bergan
Sat, 23 Nov 2019, 14:18
to me
How wonderful to be remembered! It is not a question of “out of sight, out of mind”. Au contraire! Your message reminded me of happier days. There has not been in my time such mediocrity in politics and art. It doesn’t help my worrying about my limited future. We’re hoping to go to Scotland in January, though I will have no income, no savings, no place to stay and no dog (which Catriona longs for.) This is the result of having lived a nomadic existence for most of our lives. At least we will be in a country that might remain in the EU in the near or far future. Strangely, our son turned up in Prague in time for my birthday. He lives in Vancouver so we haven’t seen him for over 20 years. Unfortunately, nurture is stronger than nature (Nietche!).
Thanks again for acknowledging my existence.
Love R
From: Ronald Bergan <
Date: 15 December 2019 at 08:44:40 CET
To: Ronald Bergan <
Subject: Rainy day
Woody’s latest film is set in an idealized Manhattan inhabited by beautiful, witty, wealthy, college - educated white people. They are all talented and slightly neurotic. They keep running into one another by chance and quote from movies, theatre and literature assuming a frame of reference with the audience. “Literature is not all giant insects and madeleines.” It is photographed sumptuously by Storaro with jazz classics on the sound track. It reinforces Allen’s belief (to quote Updike) that anyone who doesn’t live in New York “has got to be kidding.” The impeccable cast is headed by Timothée Chalamet in the Allen role, though obviously decades younger and much better looking. He got Allen’s voice to a tee and is quaintly named Gatsby Welles. The fact that nobody ever asks about his name shows what a small world the film inhabits.
I loved every minute of it.
Ronald Bergan <
Thu, 19 Dec 2019, 16:47
to me
Thanks, Maja. I’m flattered but I don’t think it was meant for publication. I wrote it for my private notebook as I did the Woody Allen piece. I’m trying for a less formal, less academic, more personal style. If you do publish the QT piece, could you change the last line to “What next ? Once upon a time in Europe.
What is your one pinion of the Woody affair ? I’m in no position to pontificate on it. Good luck with CL.
Ronald Bergan <
Sun, 23 Feb, 12:36
to me
I’m confused by my fb account. You are one of my best fb friends and one the best at large. I answered your email above on my tired old laptop, like its owner. We leave for Scotland next week without a place to stay and without an income. Scary. Anyway Auld Lang Syne...Should old acquaintance be forgot...
Let me know if you got my email from my other email address.
Much love,
RonOld
On 20 Mar 2020, at 00:19, Maya Bogojevic wrote:
Re: Dystopia Covid19
Dear RonOld,
I haven't seen you on fb in a while. I hope you & C are well and safe. Where are you now? Scotland?
What a strange time this is. I hope capitalism will collapse & human solidarity nation-less will win, but I am not optimistic...
Thinking of both of you.
Ronald Bergan
Fri, 20 Mar, 15:51
to me
Maja dear, thanks for your concern. I’ll write as soon as we’re more settled. At the moment we’re in one room in a hostel with no internet or tv. Dundee is a cold ghost town. Hope you’re surviving. At least you have warmer weather and scenery.
Xxx
R
On Wed, 20 May 2020 at 18:35, Ronald Bergan wrote:
Sorry about my tardiness in replying but had no internet for some time and phone trouble. It’s been a dreadful period. Moved from Prague to Dundee where we first stayed in three basic hotels while looking for more permanent lodgings. Finally found a 2-room unfurnished flat. Moved in during the first days of the lockdown and have hardly moved ever since. We could be anywhere on earth. I’ve gone stir cràzy. I resemble Ben Gunn. I have a grey beard and a liking for cheese. The flat has a number of doors like a French farce and overlooks a small garden, which I now see as trompe l’oeil. For example a tree becomes a woman waving to me.
How is the epidemic affecting you? I hope not too adversely.
Maya Bogojevic
25 May 2020, 11:06
to Ronald
My dear Ronald,
I'm so happy I got news from you, I was getting worried, for various reasons... And fb, I still don't know which one is your true/false profile, as there are many with your names :)
So sorry to hear you've been through such hell :( How could you live in an unfurnished flat?? I hope you have beds at least...
Here, the lockdown is over on 4th May, then gradually relaxed all measures, so now it's back to normal, which I am not too happy about, as it means back to crowds of old egoism, aggression, consumerism, greed etc. I will miss soon the most beautiful birds' chants I've ever heard in Podgorica - it's still lingering after the peaceful quarantine.
I hope you'll keep on being safe, even with your grey beard and trompe l'oeil garden :)
Lots of love, Maja
Ronald Bergan
Sat, 20 Jun, 14:32
to me
My dear Maja,
I thought the deadline for CL 10 years had long past and I was passed it. I’d like to contribute something to it. If possible I will send you a piece tomorrow or will it be too late? I’ve had a few problems of various sorts. Good to know I’m not forgotten.
Love ,
RonOld
Ronald Bergan
Sun, 21 Jun, 19:43
to me
When sorrows come they come not in single spies but in battalions. Sorry sorry, Bad night last. Took too many somnifers.Woke up with st.vitus dance. Lost balance (literally.) Too weak to get up. C did her best.Medics called. My laptop acting up.
Blessings uppon. You and your sublime baby. Lots of love
R and C
Sent from my iPhone
Ronald Bergan
Tue, 7 Jul, 18:02
to me
I am replying on behalf of Ronald. He has been unwell and just come out of hospital. He should be up and about in a few days time. We will reply to emails shortly.
Ronald Bergan
Wed, 15 Jul, 17:32
to me
Again I am replying on Ronald's behalf. Ronald and Catriona went to a nursing home on Friday as he is too weak to be looked after at home. I have been told they should be there for 2 to 3 weeks. Nothing to do with COVID -19. I will pass on your message when I visit the nursing home on Saturday. His phone is not working at the moment…
Fri, 24 Jul, 12:12
to me
Maya,
I am sorry to let you know that Ronald passed away at 22.50 last night. He passed away peacefully with Catriona at his side. Any further news I will let you know. I will miss his sharp wit and knowledge.
