Persona (1966) - its various perspectives

[zen007]

Persona has been one of the most discussed films as it is open to interpretation. Ingmar Bergman has not explained the film as well, if I am not wrong, to preserve its "mystery".

More often than not, I tend to view Persona as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Shutter Island (2010) type of film, but where answers are (or the exposition is) withheld.

A perspective or PoV - Is Alma (Bibi) the actress? And Elisabet (Liv) the nurse/doctor?


If I recall correctly:

* At the beginning of the film, the boy first looks at Alma's image, which later turns into Elisabet's.
* Elisabet's letter to the doctor where she talks about "studying" Alma. She also shares Alma's intimate information.
* Mr. Volgar meets Alma as Elisabet.
* At the end of the film, Alma is shown on the bed being shot by the film crew (probably implying that Alma is the actress).


The key point here is that there are many ways to view this interesting film. What is your perspective?