Alma and Elizabeth represent opposites, but would you believe it opposites are often two sides

of the same coin? As we find out when their faces literally converge in probably the most

famous scene of the film. That's right. I mean, so the basic arc of this film really is one of

convergence between the two characters. You know, it's only, I mean, it's remarkable. It's

only 83 minutes long or something. And I mean, the actual narrative portion of the film is even

shorter when you consider the first seven minutes are just this kind of abstract visual poem.

But essentially, we start with these two characters who seem like they're distinct characters.

They seem like they're distinct selves, different people. You have Nurse Alma, who is of a different class

position than Liv Oman's character, Elizabeth Vogler, the actress who's lost her voice. She doesn't

have anything like her fame. She seems to have kind of fear of or just an aversion to abstraction

in various kinds.

There's an early conversation she has with Elizabeth.

And it's a one-way conversation because throughout most of this film, Elizabeth, doesn't talk.

But she's sort of saying, you know, I respect artists.

And I think you do important work.

But who am I to talk to you about any of this stuff?

You know, so she comes across as somebody who's, you know, perhaps a little insecure around

this famous actress, but also mostly just feels out of her depth and set in her ways.

There's an early scene where Nurse Alma is alone and she's sort of talking out loud to herself.

And I mean, we just get some exposition on her life and she's trying to sort of loud to herself. And I mean, we just get some exposition on her

life. And she's trying to sort of reassure herself. And it sounds at least early in the film like

this is working. She's sort of saying things to herself like, you know, well, I have a, I have a husband

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