They’re back -- at last

A number of prominent directors are returning this year after long absences. (That doesn’t mean they haven’t been busy, only that it’s been awhile since the last time their work was seen here on the big screen.) How long is long? Here’s a rundown.

An eternity: Ingmar Bergman, back with “Saraband,” made for Swedish TV (last U.S. theatrical release: “Fanny and Alexander,” 1982).

Nine years: Mel Gibson, “The Passion of Christ” (last film: “Braveheart”).

Eight years: Carroll Ballard, untitled (last film: “Fly Away Home”).

Seven years: George Armitage, “The Big Bounce” (last film: “Grosse Pointe Blank”); James L. Brooks, “Spanglish” (last film: “As Good as It Gets”).

Six years: Bernardo Bertolucci, “The Dreamers” (last film: “Besieged”); Bill Condon, “Kinsey” (last film: “Gods and Monsters”); Terry Gilliam, “Brothers Grimm” (last film: “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”).

Five years: Brad Bird, “The Incredibles” (last film: “The Iron Giant”); Jim Jarmusch, “Coffee and Cigarettes” (last film: “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai”); Sydney Pollack, “The Interpreter” (last film: “Random Hearts”); David O. Russell, “I {heart} Huckabees” (last film: “Three Kings”); Oliver Stone, “Alexander” (last film: “Any Given Sunday”).