Persona

Elisabeth Vogler is a famous actress who falls silent right in the middle of a performance of “Electra”. Even prolonged treatment at a psychiatric clinic fails to make her speak. The doctor in charge suggests to Elisabeth’s nurse that she, Alma, should spend some time in isolation with the patient on the coast. Impressed by the physical resemblance between the two of them, Alma identifies herself, subconsciously, with the actress. But the friendship is disturbed when Alma discovers that the actress is observing her coolly and amusedly. Alma now becomes almost hysterical, trying to project her own feelings of guilt and anguish on to Elisabeth, urging her wildly to speak. Back at the clinic, Alma breaks down after a final outburst.