June’24 – Nominated By ZA
Nominations
- Selena – 0 Votes
- Victoria – 1 Vote
- Bodies Bodies Bodies – 2 Votes
- Persona- 2 Votes*
Plot Synopsis
The film begins with a series of seemingly unrelated and abstract images, including a film projector starting, a crucifixion, and a child in a hospital caressing a large, blurry face on a screen. These images set the tone for the film’s exploration of human consciousness and perception.
The story then shifts to focus on Elisabet Vogler (played by Liv Ullmann), an actress who suddenly becomes mute during a performance and has since remained silent, withdrawn from speaking and interacting with others. Elisabet’s psychiatrist sends her to a secluded seaside cottage to recover, accompanied by Alma (played by Bibi Andersson), a young, talkative nurse assigned to care for her.
As they spend time together, Alma speaks freely about her life, thoughts, and feelings to the silent Elisabet. Gradually, the relationship between the two women intensifies, leading Alma to confess intimate and troubling experiences from her past. Throughout this process, Elisabet remains mostly silent, becoming both a screen onto which Alma projects her own thoughts and a mirror reflecting her own identity.
The core of the film revolves around the psychological and emotional entanglement between Elisabet and Alma. As their identities begin to converge and blur, Alma becomes increasingly unstable, feeling that Elisabet is overtaking her identity. The boundaries between the two women diminish, leading to a haunting and ambiguous conclusion where their personalities seem to merge.
Themes:
“Persona” delves deeply into themes of identity, the human psyche, and the nature of reality versus illusion. The film explores the idea that individuals wear masks (“personas”) in social interactions, and it questions what happens when these facades break down. Bergman uses the relationship between the two women to probe ideas about the duality of human nature, the vulnerability of the self, and the existential loneliness of being.
The film is also noted for its stark, minimalist setting and cinematography, which reinforce the intense psychological drama unfolding between the characters. The innovative use of close-ups, cuts, and monologues blurs the lines between the characters’ identities, enhancing the film’s dream-like and surreal quality.
“Persona” is celebrated not only for its narrative and thematic complexity but also for its groundbreaking visual style and editing, which have influenced many filmmakers and remain a subject of study and admiration in the world of cinema.
Average Scores
| Enjoyable | Plot | Acting | Camera | Themes | Music | Casting | Wildcard | Total | |
| Average Score | 5 | 1.58 | 1.28 | 0.83 | 0.43 | 0.26 | 0.48 | 0.29 | 10.13 |
| Max Score | 5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | +/- 0.5 | 11.5 |
| Difference | 0 | 0.43 | 0.22 | 0.17 | 0.07 | 0.237 | 0.02 | 0.21 | 1.37 |
Individual Scores
| Reviewer | Enjoyable | Plot | Acting | Camera | Themes | Music | Casting | Wildcard | Total |
| MA | 5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 10.1 |
| YA | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| ZA | 5 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 10.1 |
| BM | 5 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.25 | 9.85 |
| KS | 5 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 10.45 |