Five conversations frame a flawed marriage in this film written by Ingmar Bergman about his parents. Guilt-ridden wife Anna (Pernilla August) divulges an extramarital affair to a priest, her uncle Jacob (Max von Sydow). He presses her to confess her sins to her husband, Henrik. As the film moves back and forth in time, the notion of truth is tested. Tomas, the lover, and Henrik will find that Anna's confessions do not absolve anyone, and have the power to inflict more pain.

Private Confessions

Fredrik, the single father of Magda, is too occupied with his race horse Kisa to see that his daughter has problems in school. But one day Magda brings home a new friend, Helena, caller at the local bingo hall. Fredrik is soon smitten by the frank and outspoken 29-year-old. Helena and a self-confident Magda help Fredrik to see why his horse never wins the races.