Persona presents Elisabet Vogler, a well-known theatrical actress who, during an Electra performance, is speechless. Entered in a psychiatric hospital, although it is not possible to diagnose any type of disease, it continues without uttering any sound. After different tests, the doctor determines that she is healthy but, to get her out of her silence and practice different therapies, she entrusts her nurse to take her to an idyllic summer home to seek rest...
The film begins with the staging of the entire cinematographic device. That allows us to look outwards (the lens of the projector that light gradually, the film that begins to be rewound to project itself) as well as inside the device. Stating that the enigmatic child seems to represent the viewer (not in vain, his role in the story is not other than to wake up and then decipher, first a book and then the film image of the two faces)...
Ingmar Bergman's responds in a concrete way to the neuroses and the cinematographic challenges of his time. It dwells on philosophical themes which are portrayed in the relationship between the two protagonists.
When it comes communication, although Elisabet barely speaks, her expressions on different scenarios proves that an opinion, story, emotion can be tell without a single word coming out of the mouth. On the other side, we have Alma, a girl whose monologues treat nihilism, abortion, lesbianism, imposed maternity, guilt, insanity, schizophrenia trough not only an a well written and poetic script, but a magnificent direction.
Bergman's beauty and precision with which he handles the dream elements make the cinema of modernity reach completely new possibilities. This characterizes him as the genius he is frequently said to be. Accompanied by the astonishing performance of Bibi Andersson, the movie grants a shocking ride over the human condition.
It's a visually stunning experience to every cinema lover.
10/10.
The film begins with the staging of the entire cinematographic device. That allows us to look outwards (the lens of the projector that light gradually, the film that begins to be rewound to project itself) as well as inside the device. Stating that the enigmatic child seems to represent the viewer (not in vain, his role in the story is not other than to wake up and then decipher, first a book and then the film image of the two faces)...
Ingmar Bergman's responds in a concrete way to the neuroses and the cinematographic challenges of his time. It dwells on philosophical themes which are portrayed in the relationship between the two protagonists.
When it comes communication, although Elisabet barely speaks, her expressions on different scenarios proves that an opinion, story, emotion can be tell without a single word coming out of the mouth. On the other side, we have Alma, a girl whose monologues treat nihilism, abortion, lesbianism, imposed maternity, guilt, insanity, schizophrenia trough not only an a well written and poetic script, but a magnificent direction.
Bergman's beauty and precision with which he handles the dream elements make the cinema of modernity reach completely new possibilities. This characterizes him as the genius he is frequently said to be. Accompanied by the astonishing performance of Bibi Andersson, the movie grants a shocking ride over the human condition.
It's a visually stunning experience to every cinema lover.
10/10.