Bergman's films seem to be like this: a simple narrative plot and structure, but with a variety of close-ups, just the right timing of dialogue, light and shadow, and the tension of the actors' performances, they have a powerful force. Although Silence also has such characteristics, its spiritual core is thinner than some of Bergman's other well-known works. It's hard to tell why, it may be that the theme is not very clear, or it may be that the more obvious themes are less profound than the others; but the movies of that era have this magic: there is no complicated plot, no The tortuous emotional line, but through the delicate characterization, each character has real power. Just like in real life, we may witness part of a family tragedy going on, and even though it doesn't reveal any context, we're still impressed.
English subtitles are sometimes better than Chinese. Regarding the discussion of the theme, a relatively obvious background is the loneliness that runs through many of Bergman's films, as well as the director's own childhood experience. Bergman witnessed his mother cheating when he was a child; and, like many art workers, I believe that he also felt how much sexuality changed and promoted his life. Whether for better or worse, the rich romantic history of his life can naturally help him. Evidence of this. As for the deeper background - loneliness, it may be related to the closer to the original meaning of the English subtitles this time: in the end, the letter easter wrote to john should be "to john: words in a foreign language", in my To understand, it should be said that her own dialogue with anna is like using a different language. This may be a better illustration of the deep estrangement between the people the film portrays. Like easter said, we can never let others understand our way, can't change other people's behavior. This sounds absolute, but in fact it is. Although we can make others behave the way we want on the surface, we can't do it at a deep level. Just like when easter speaks, anna thinks her tone is high, the film shows the great difficulties people encounter when understanding each other and the deep sense of loneliness it brings. In a sense, it may also allude to something I have always believed in. Although it may be wishful thinking, I think this way: easter realizes the deep obstacle to understanding and communication with anna, which is spiritual inability; At the same time, she loves Anna so fiercely and loyally, which is not affected by this gap, and naturally it is impossible to mend it. This shows how disconnected our passionate emotions, even sexual desires, are from these naturally existing barriers; they are there, we realize, but we blindly walk past them.
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