In Ingmar Bergman?s Persona, often considered one of his best films ? yes, ahead of the better known The Seventh Seal or even Autumn Sonata ? the Swede maestro explores the relationship between two women. One is an actress who refuses to speak after a breakdown, played brilliantly by Bergman favourite Liv Ullmann and the other, the nurse in charge, essayed by another Bergman staple Bibi Andersson. In the end, there?s a meeting of sorts between the two as the two faces merge into one. ?It?s one of his most personal films,? recalls friend and documentary-maker Gunnar Bergdahl who is in Delhi and Mumbai for Palador Pictures and the Embassy of Sweden?s six-city, seven-film tribute to Bergman through a retrospective, on the first anniversary of his death.
Though Persona isn?t part of the package, Bergdahl says the seven films, including the classic Wild Strawberries and the faith trilogy, comprising, Through a Glass Darkly, Winter Light and The Silence, ?are good enough to understand Bergman?. The themes of the films in the festival, says Bergdahl ? his documentary Intermezzo is being screened at film schools in Delhi and Mumbai and is part of the five-film DVD set Palador has launched as a tribute to the film-maker ? are universal and deal with questions essential to a Bergman film. ?What is the meaning of existence? Is there a god? What is the relationship between man and god? What is the relationship between man and woman? ? these are issues central to any Bergman film,? adds Bergdahl.
Says Gautam Shiknis, founder and MD, Palador Pictures: ?Bergman?s films have moved, inspired and influenced a host of filmmakers and audiences across the world. It is only just that the nation that makes the largest quantity of films in the world each year should also get the best quality films from across the world. On the first death anniversary of Bergman, this festival and box set is this nation?s tribute to the great master.?
Ask Bergdahl about memories of his friend Bergman and he quips: ?Oh, he was witty, funny and full of feel-good energy. He was also a very good listener. We would end up discussing films for hours together. We would often have telephone conversations.?
Pointing out that Persona is his personal favourite ? ?it was Bergman?s too together with Cries and Whispers? ? Bergdahl says the film has a very long shelf-life and ?for all you know a screening of Persona is going on even as we speak?. The Seventh Seal, says Bergdahl, may have had commercial success but it?s films like Persona and Wild Strawberries that will live longer. Go ahead, feast your eyes on the dream-like yet universal films of Ingmar Bergman.