Quick Look: Persona (1966)

Once in a blue moon I will see a film that genuinely intrigues me, and that I would truly consider a work of art.  This is the case with Ingmar Bergman's 1966 work, Persona.  It is a black and white presentation, and the spoke language is Swedish.  I would refer to it as 'minimalist' in that the majority of the film there are only 2 women interacting, and only 1 does the majority of the speaking.  Many of shots are drawn in close filling the screen with one or both of the women.  There is very little done with sets/scenery, other to appear functional and minimal and there is not a lot of musical accompaniment; both elements drawing even more focus onto the actors.  You will rely more on facial expressions and tones of voices than in most typical films.

The basic premise is that an actor Elisabet Volger (Liv Ullmann) had a breakdown on stage during a performance of a play and now is unable, or unwilling to speak.  She is otherwise healthy and functional, can respond to questions, as well as accomplishing any other physical task - she just won't talk.  A nurse, Alma (Bibi Andersonn), has been assigned with observing her and providing care as needed.  The majority of the movie is Alma speaking to Elisabet - first about mundane things, then getting more and more personal the deeper into the film it goes, until there is a breaking point, of sorts.

The editing is what gives Persona a very arthouse feel; there are images inserted throughout the movie, and they are on the screen for such a short time, you almost question what you just witnessed.  At different points in the movie we see the film burn or melt away, as if there had been a malfunction in an old style projector, and at one moment we actually see a quick shot of the film crew filming the movie as if to let the audience know this is still a work of fiction, or as if we are almost participating in the creation of the screen product.  I cannot summarize the ending in any logical way only to say that is left up to interpretation, and I truly do not believe there is any correct way to express what any one person could or should take away from it.

It is not rated, but I would only caution on some subject matter specifically being verbalized stories of sex and abortion.  If you do not like black and white films, foreign films, or arthouse/indie type films, you should probably pass on Persona.  Otherwise I would highly recommend it to anyone, it will definitely make you think, and likely even want to look up information about it.