Certain films transcend time and space, delving into profound themes that resonate with audiences across generations. Ingmar Bergman's Persona and Robert Eggers' The Lighthouse are two exceptional works that share thematic resonances, exploring the depths of identity, mental health, and the haunting descent into madness. Beyond their surface connections, these films intertwine themes of alienation, duality, and the fragile nature of self-understanding.
While The Lighthouse stands as its own distinct creation, it shares thematic resonances with Bergman's works, reflecting the enduring influence of the Swedish auteur on contemporary filmmaking. The A24 Podcast Deep Cuts with Robert Eggers & Ari Aster highlights the impact Bergman had on their artistic sensibilities and their fascination with psychological turmoil and the exploration of the human mind. Eggers particularly discusses the profound influence Bergman had on him, emphasizing how the Swedish auteur's works shaped his own approach to storytelling and the portrayal of existential crises. Through this lens, we can perceive the echoes of Bergman's themes in The Lighthouse, capturing the essence of psychological disintegration and existential uncertainty that permeate Bergman's films.
Settings that Shape the Characters
In both Persona and The Lighthouse, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping the characters' behavior and development, acting as extensions of their psyches. The island of Fårö holds significant importance in Bergman's works, serving as an influential backdrop for his films. Its barrenness and desolation mirror the internal struggles of his characters, symbolizing their yearning for connection and meaning. In Persona, the secluded cottage becomes a physical representation of isolation and introspection, with the barren landscape reflecting the psychological detachment of the characters from the outside world. Bergman masterfully creates an atmosphere of unease, trapping the characters in a liminal space where identity becomes elusive and sanity teeters on the edge. The environment becomes an integral part of their identity, shaping their behavior and emotional states, and reflecting the symbiotic relationship between the characters and their surroundings.
In The Lighthouse, the desolate island and the eponymous structure stand as symbols of seclusion and confinement. The relentless waves, claustrophobic interiors (and that goddamn foghorn) intensify the characters' isolation, as they grapple with their own fractured perceptions of reality. The duality within their personalities takes centre stage, exposing the fragile balance between sanity and insanity, civilization and savagery. The harsh environment, combined with the physical and psychological constraints, gradually erode their sense of identity, therefore exposing their vulnerabilities and primal instincts. The island serves as a microcosm of their deteriorating mental states, an isolated purgatory where their true selves are laid bare. Willem Dafoe's mesmerizing monologue captures the intricate relationship between the characters and their surroundings, emphasizing the transformative impact of the environment on their identities, often bringing it down to fate (it truly is bad luck to kill a f***ing sea bird).
The Fragility of Identity
The Lighthouse and Persona both confront the fragility of identity and the relentless drive for mental health. In Persona, the boundaries between the two women blur, challenging the notion of individuality. Alma's reflection on this blurring of identities resonates deeply, as she confesses, "Sometimes, when I'm talking to you, I'm not quite sure who's talking" capturing the alienating experience of having to grapple with the merging of selves. The film explores the interplay between personal experiences, societal expectations, and the masks we wear, in order to ultimately question the stability of our sense of self.
Similarly, The Lighthouse immerses viewers in the isolated world of two lighthouse keepers. As their confinement persists, the relentless pursuit of maintaining their sanity becomes a driving force. The film gradually peels away the layers of their identities, exposing their vulnerabilities and propelling them toward the brink of madness. Robert Pattinson's character's desperate confession, "I don't know who I am no more," encapsulates the disorientation and existential crisis he faces. The film captures the relentless drive for mental health as a central theme, highlighting the fragility of identity in the face of isolation and psychological torment.
Both Persona and The Lighthouse invite audiences to contemplate the complexities of identity against the haunting descent into madness, or as Dafoe's character states "boredom makes men to villains". Through their distinct narratives, visual aesthetics, and thematic depth, these films navigate the fragile nature of self-understanding and the toll it takes on the characters. The settings in both films act as powerful catalysts, shaping the characters' behaviors and accentuating their alienation. The intricate relationship between identity and environment highlights the transformative power of environments, and how they can both shape and distort one's sense of self.
The interplay of themes and influences serves as a testament to the profound impact visionary filmmakers leave on their successors. Persona and The Lighthouse stand as artistic achievements, bridging generations and inviting audiences to contemplate the intricacies of identity, mental health, and the haunting fragility of the human psyche. As we explore these films, we are reminded of the relentless pursuit of self-understanding, the struggle against alienation, and the consequences that arise when the boundaries of identity and mental stability begin to blur.