Ingmar Bergman’s Persona is regularly regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Not just because of its iconic shots or its haunting cinematography, but its two central performances by Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann are some of the greatest in cinema. But, what would happen, let’s say, if Ullmann’s famed performance were erased?

This is exactly what is happening in a new version of Persona titled Another Persona. Debuting in 2024 at the Göteborg Film Festival, Another Persona will see Liv Ullmann’s face replaced via AI by Alma Pöysti’s, who is best known for her performance in  Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves. 

It’s an exciting, somewhat terrifying, concept. But one that is sure to yield interesting results. At least, that what Jan Holmberg of the Ingmar Bergman Foundation thinks. As he says in a statement, “As administrators of Bergman’s artistry, we at The Ingmar Bergman Foundation and SF Studios think that Another Persona is a brilliant project. ‘Every intonation is a lie, every gesture a forgery,’ it is said in Bergman’s 1966 film. This becomes even more true now! In a time when we outsource ourselves to machines and at the same time seek our authentic selves.”

If you want to see Another Persona, you’ll have to book your ticket soon, the film will screen exclusively at the 2024 Göteborg Film Festival, with Liv Ullmann and Alma Pöysti in attendance and will not be screened to an audience again. It’ll be very interesting to hear Ullmann’s reaction to her greatest performance being erased by AI.