DVD REVIEW
'Salome'(1923) and 'Lot In Sodom'(1933)
(Film Preservation Associates 2001)
I should open this review by saying that both these films are wonderful and no self-respecting decadent or lover of the weird should be without them.
'Salome' (1923) was essentially a vanity project and vehicle for the Russian born actress Alla Nazimova (1879-1945) and her husband (in name only), the actor/director Charles Bryant (1879-1948).
The film is based upon Oscar Wildes play, or rather one should say, the play with its Aubrey Beardsley illustrations (these are here); for the whole tone and style of the film is based upon them. There appears to be just one studio set divided by a curtain, the props being brightly lit over a black background and the costumes austere and in keeping with the Beardsley style.
It was said that a vast proportion of the cast and crew of the film were gay,and certainly a very camp and/or homo-erotic sensibility is to be found in every scene. Every male slave is beautiful and spartanly clad with heavy make up (including male nipples) the executioner figure is a huge white man painted black, with every actor rejecting any semblance of naturalism in their acting, posturing to the camera and holding dramatic poses.
The whole effect could easily become farcical, but because everything is so entirely artificial and contrived that it actually works incredibly well; Salomes attendants in Beardsley style kimonos, the midget orchestra in harem pants and fantastic headgear, the transvestite "ladies" of court and of course Nazomova herself,
a forty-two year old playing a fourteen year old; it all seems to crazily work, in fact more than work, it is utterly brilliant. I watched this boggle-eyed at its bizarreness and loved every minute of it. There are two soundtracks, my favourite being that of The Silent Orchestra whose music seems less intrusive than he more conventional sounding one by Marc-Oliver Dupin.
The DVD is twinned with 'Lot in Sodom' (1933), I guess because they are biblically themed. That said, 'Lot...' owes as much to the Bible in style and content as 'Salome', but takes a very different approach, far more dreamy, surrealist, and impressionistic. Multiple exposures and overlays, slow motion, blurring from bodies, to plants to water and back again.
What (few) sets are shown are expressionistic in the 'Caligari' style, but overall this films owes more to the work of, say, René Clairs 'Entr'-acte'. modern starting points might be Derek Jarmens 'Angelic Conversation' or the works of Kenneth Anger. However it does however have enough structure to follow original biblical story. This is another excellent film.
Sadly this disc only seems to be available from the U.S. E-bay seems to be the best bet, but check they will ship outside the States. Very highly recommended!
'Salome' (1923) was essentially a vanity project and vehicle for the Russian born actress Alla Nazimova (1879-1945) and her husband (in name only), the actor/director Charles Bryant (1879-1948).
The film is based upon Oscar Wildes play, or rather one should say, the play with its Aubrey Beardsley illustrations (these are here); for the whole tone and style of the film is based upon them. There appears to be just one studio set divided by a curtain, the props being brightly lit over a black background and the costumes austere and in keeping with the Beardsley style.
It was said that a vast proportion of the cast and crew of the film were gay,and certainly a very camp and/or homo-erotic sensibility is to be found in every scene. Every male slave is beautiful and spartanly clad with heavy make up (including male nipples) the executioner figure is a huge white man painted black, with every actor rejecting any semblance of naturalism in their acting, posturing to the camera and holding dramatic poses.
The whole effect could easily become farcical, but because everything is so entirely artificial and contrived that it actually works incredibly well; Salomes attendants in Beardsley style kimonos, the midget orchestra in harem pants and fantastic headgear, the transvestite "ladies" of court and of course Nazomova herself,
a forty-two year old playing a fourteen year old; it all seems to crazily work, in fact more than work, it is utterly brilliant. I watched this boggle-eyed at its bizarreness and loved every minute of it. There are two soundtracks, my favourite being that of The Silent Orchestra whose music seems less intrusive than he more conventional sounding one by Marc-Oliver Dupin.
The DVD is twinned with 'Lot in Sodom' (1933), I guess because they are biblically themed. That said, 'Lot...' owes as much to the Bible in style and content as 'Salome', but takes a very different approach, far more dreamy, surrealist, and impressionistic. Multiple exposures and overlays, slow motion, blurring from bodies, to plants to water and back again.
What (few) sets are shown are expressionistic in the 'Caligari' style, but overall this films owes more to the work of, say, René Clairs 'Entr'-acte'. modern starting points might be Derek Jarmens 'Angelic Conversation' or the works of Kenneth Anger. However it does however have enough structure to follow original biblical story. This is another excellent film.
Sadly this disc only seems to be available from the U.S. E-bay seems to be the best bet, but check they will ship outside the States. Very highly recommended!
