Sunday 30 August 2020

Le Deuxième Symphonie (1918 Abel Gance)

Slightly complicated by the fact that the intertitles are in French with no translation, as indeed are several letters, which interestingly are used to help tell the story. Also quite innovative in its use of different shot sizes and editing, and in its 'symphony' section, with its eye-catching semi-transparent ballet scenes. 

Melodrama tells of how a woman Emmy Lynn falls under control of good-for-nothing Jean Toulot who's witnessed a murder; later she marries composer Séverin-Mars, but his daughter falls for the cad. Most interesting, with a modern score and beautifully shot by Léonce-Henri Burel (early Bressons).

Great tinting as well. In one scene a character turns off a light, and the previous warm amber tint is abruptly replaced with a cold green one - not sure I've seen that before.

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