What inner conflicts are explored in Persona?

In his 1966 film Persona, Ingmar Bergman explores profound inner conflicts through an abstract drama of human relationships. The film is part of a series of works set on the island of Fårö that focus on the psychological struggles of a small, closely knit group of characters.1

Bergman’s work consistently examines the human attempt to define one's own personality by removing social "masks" to determine if a true self exists underneath. In Persona, this exploration manifests as an anguished appraisal of the human situation, stripping away decorative elements to focus on the tension between sanity and madness, as well as the struggle between human contact and total withdrawal. By centering on these intimate, internal battles, the film reflects Bergman's broader commitment to investigating the complexities of human identity and the rigorous examination of action and motive.21