Film Summary and Persuasion
Persona, directed by Ingmar Bergman, is one of the best films that makes viewers think about how the human mind works. Despite the picture changing on the screen, the actual events of this film take place in the minds of the characters and the audience. Departing from the traditional linear narrative, the director focuses on the peculiarities of the human psyche, making the film an excellent source of self-discovery.
Character Motivation
The film’s protagonist is a nurse caring for a silent actress. As the story progresses, these two figures gradually intertwine (Persona). It goes against traditional character development, in which external events shape the personality of the characters and provide their dynamics. Due to the lack of individuality in the film, the figures appearing in it are not perceived as people with individual traits and experiences. The lack of individuality and uniqueness leads to a loss of audience interest in the characters, but at the same time, allows one to focus on trying to understand the human psyche.
Cinematography and Character Framing
Bergman skillfully uses cinematography to achieve the director’s intentions. For example, it is not uncommon for characters to be shown in close-ups to showcase their genuine emotions, which may be hidden behind a deadpan appearance. Moreover, the psychological tension of the film is emphasized by the use of visual effects and shadows, which create an atmosphere of general confusion.
Doubling Theme and Film Ending
One of the narrative’s main themes is repetition since some of the actions of the characters are depicted twice. It is a rather remarkable technique, as the film’s ending shows the opposite phenomenon, where two characters merge into one. Such a directorial technique initially seems confusing, but simultaneously, it contributes to the emergence of different interpretations of the film. That is why the film’s ending is ambiguous and leaves enough space for theories and assumptions.
Work Cited
Persona. Directed by Ingmar Bergman, AB Svensk Filmindustri, 1966.
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