, . e>re ",m.,I;.,bIe when you ""nsOd.r how many 01 he< ~urope.n «)n'~mpo""", .,-.n'u. lly .:am< 10 Hollywood: Murruu. Lang. ehri, ....,,· "'n, Sj/I$",\m , ;;.ilb. Ophu'" .,'en R.",,;, orui Bu"""I . Ii only ru, ~i. ",,,,,, c"'''''''- pro,·id ... til< pr<"n 10, ou, inquiry. The _ond l.oct need. a n.Iyzing. Con " .. . "riOO", D",ye,', """,ion to ".g.ui<s 0( p" .." ... lil)" In U,,, ...",dlnl biog,aphy. Ebb< N""IJIo>d'" de,,"," • boy . h flod ~• • """ fos'", i.mil)" and a """ng m.n "'00 "'I~ . 1 "1I"""n. N .. ,."..",,'. acroun' 0( t.)W D,ey .. ",ft hi, lhe G",o' T""'g"rh Com· polny ~., berome f.m""" 0 ... J4y /u had to "'~''''f''''Y Ih. old ","",unIOn' d""., into 'hf fi""""'" ,""ull>. Whm 'J~ "'-i po...-J ,It
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."~ iJ,.. of 01""1 Itce""n" will no. sume • . Unphy Ihol I, "..,Iul 1,,'1l< H,e,.ry n i,lOrio ... i , not .he .u,ho" currirulum viI.!< or the 'n .....,;liga'''''' -«uunl 01 hi, Iii• . Whol Ill< lit.ra!}' hl_"'n ",. lIy """d, is lhe biographicol "'s< nd CfNt.e film inj«lj,·., ,,·.n "· I I~ nt.,,",, . ,u.c~ . kgond .... y ap1"'-', th.1 "' ~... nd ~., on ("'i<"< ti,·~ loneh"n In, hi"ori<. 1,itu>!,,", . TI>e b;(,_ g" phir..J ~'j\<.· ... d may justify prt.d <,·cn <,<".1". 'pont_ ...... ,u> lheury uf Ih< .rtb'·, p"octrc.. Mo.c imp"""nl, th~ biograph ic.I I"8end i• • "'oy in w~ic~ . u· ,f,.,,,' hip 'ignir"'. n,ly . h.p'" om p'·ro.'p'ion 01 lhe w",•. C ... I.d by Ill< fil mm.'''' .nd othe, I""", (t'" pm.<, dnerhi .... ). ,he ""w.p~ic. I' ''8.nd " n d ...."",in,· 00'" "",. ",t.,uld'" ",. J the film,.nd I... " ..... , . \\'~ d" "'" <""'" in"""en' 10 ,he film', ,nd leg.nd c.... ,h.pe hQ,," we Hy "",,'. n", ou'lin,· .,/ I!.I, Itge nd is cit" .. nough; D",y., •• lhe one incomJ ptib'"
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after , .."n, d·A",. wuulJ m.1u! omly fobn. he w."",..J to ,,",!<e. ~ve" il I~al me..nl he locked support for Ihe film' he
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w."ted mool 10 make, Soch • legend u. 10 .... Dreyer'. film,. especiaf!y lhe ble, purely • i"" objec'" ,,'orb 01 ,he frfmmaker "'00 would not rom· prom;.;., hi> p""""'" ,'i>;'m. OUI ta • • i> no' punc,,,,,, Ihis 1"8""d . • • if .... ",uld ",pi.." i' ,",'i,h.n o•• y ' ruth. bu, r.t"'" 10 an. ly'" the legen< "",.1Or i• • imply tl>< geome'ric.l point 01 in"'....-.:tio<> 0/ 1-... 0p",. ti"g outside 01 him"" in o, d,·, ' 0 proP""" Ih.1 Dreye' enlel"t"d an objectively constiluted ."""lion in whkh ecr>nomk . "",tal. and ..,lI>etk 10"'" operated. Secondly, ..... can.sk ,,·h., d;ffrculti<s 'h •• idcn hr..,. in hi. or hor his,orical si'ua'ion. Wha, are ,I>< ... Ie material •• ,I>< outworn habi". tl>< dic .... ' which ,I>< .rtist ..,i ••• upon? We.", not • • king 1>'1><,1><, ,I>< ,'jew 01 .ituation j. mrrcc1 in """" ,bsolu ,o ",no<, only "',""Oe' ,ha, "lew col><"" wi,h 'Il< biographbl legend, Thirdly. wo CO " """ t),", "'!!".-d «>. ,I",W "',Ih pu.- .'y ' "",no, How """'" the him""' .... , "'" ~ .. or he, work as . I,ering the h;'''''''''1 .il""ticm. tran,forming .tand.rdized mate· '-;"1,1 I.... '''''uld not "'p«t. ' imple I.. n;mission of influ· ,,,,,",,,, tou , • dy".mic ..,_ rook-rop""!)" pr.octice by the ,rthlf. "",,,k, .... Yuri Tyn;"""" of li'eratu"" W","" prop!< 1,/k .ro.1 "'Iilmi>y lrodilion"' or ",""",. ,ion" , , . u,,,,,U~ im'gi"" kind of "",ig"' Ii"" /mph lli,n 111,1. It i< ""I, "",U", of ""'Ii""ing .... S/",igl,l/in,. kiogr.phk.l lej;enJ "",k. to clear, 'pM< In., i'· ..,If • • nd in "" doing i' mu" di.wS". ",.". n);" •• no.! , ,,,,. Ie .. CE,tain domin,n, mod.l. The chOeI problem ",h",h Dre)'« ;J""'if,,,J h'n);"J up"" film', ... tu • • • • n .n, For Lum.,,,,. Mello's. ewn F~ui H.d~. 'his problem did " i,t. lIu, lor thooe men
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.nd ... oo"", ~nk-I"t"d film di"""ing in tho ..."" nd dedram.-. "'er """""'" 0"'" of Ihe '"high .rt,"? "Tha, Dtey<'r .. w lho problem in ,hi. fight is ''''''''n by oi, ,,-~"' .. tc.d otta< i""r.,.oed .peliutioro 01 ,he Amorican cinema made it imposol. bIe 1<Jt . fdm ' 0 b< one "",n', work, lrwl i..-id...,1 ~hvi'Y ..... ch>nnelIight crime OS ""mf"",d to ", . "",ding by 0""' hour ''"' wo,k pL-m 01 ,he hofy 'Organild ' 'io"·"" The ' omo, "I ,hi. cri'ique . ppe. r banal no ... : we .. '" 00 long. . .hod .... to I<"m Ih.ot .land • .-.] """,,",pol)" c.pital technique. ,ueh as divis"", of 1.00.- and in k-n.;f",. · tion of the working d.y we", "",n .pplied to lhe cine"", Inlry, II", I... m.ny "00 1~1O. ,nd ..,ughl to m. ~ e t"," , inem • • n lhe < d ilfoculty ,,·;,h , 'pec,,1 keen"",,, 1..S"·« .k ind""riali", · 'ion co",," wry I..lto to Derun.rk i>Ome hi.k>d, ,," .rgue for •• I..l,o. Jato •• lB'!O).,rod ,he ",,,,,,in. of a c,.1t "adihon w<>u1J t...."" b,:-,-,n 'f'P-'ren' '0 • young man 01 Dre),"'-, '8".' In ony e,'on<- l)",),ds bOogr. phical leg
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CRAFTSMAN AND ARTIST (1919-1927) 8<-'"""n 191O.nd 1930. pnxl uchon offered ..,,'Oral poMibie ,,"oo k , i'u.ation< ,,, ''"' ~lmm.l.o, Wi,hin ,ho< inJustry, "'" di"","', cou ld to. ""dor ron · troct to. firm. This wa. ,,,,. "",.t common ",Iu,ion, 2. In •• ignifl•• nt '·..... n' of 1M fir>t option. 'f>< d irector
AN AtmtOK A"D HIS t~ G l'N"
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could cor"r""t him or """"II to a n w ing <>f. finn . Fo' compl<. ",o"",n ••• rle' Wo,ld W.. I both F"""" and G.nn.n)" ~.Io l"' d ,vQWedly · ' .d " .~·· <:>d, •• ",ithln tho inJustkop "n~ of UI. Of the french Impr""ionisl filmma ke .. in their work lor rath< .nd G.oumon., 3. ThE director could wo .... indel"'nden.')" by form ing. rroduction comp.on)". fin.ncing the mrn by what....,' mean> poosibi< .nd hiring l.>eilib., or pt.)'e" lrom mAjor firm.. &"" w()I.lld be (ilm, m.J. by l'H~<1>;" , . nd fopste in in the I. .. 1920;, 4, ThE dil'<'Ctv, could join. group ""'king film, Oll"ide .he indu",)" fu, ' peclfK arti"", 0' poIitic. 1 end •. Thi' ooIu'ion "·d. coo.en by .he groups who m.ld. Su"".];" film, like fL< My
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D"",.r. """'" con.,;t u",", ""riS,n by woTTlp.ogni . It ml):h t that a count')" the size of Denmar~ ",,,,Id no' sust.in . hUgo foIm ""terpri... bu. in ito golden .go r;"n1i,k <<>TTlm. n,kd . n e.",,",,,,u, n"" ko.~_ By o,,'n ing the ....,.. m,king film. qudly . od ch<'opl)', ond ex""~hng popul., ,ubj,,"" .nd S"n_, 0 1"-""0" fotm bL"."", ,he «nlOr of tl>< domestic fi lm t,.od~. At it; I"', k (. ,,,und 1913) Notd;,k ",tained tou"""n hund.-..d holl-ti"", W(Kk .-;. Tlw OOIl1po"y ~ithe, ab>orbed it> chi<-! coml"'tHo.-; 'Of d ,,,,,~ them " ut of 00";"",. by luring '''''y thei, 1"',,,,,",,,,1, In 1~ 1l !\:otdi,k prodocM 77 of the '19 film. mad~ in Denmark: in 1912 i. mad~ tOJ out of 160.' The rompony'. s",.,,·., "'''' ''g'h, ho, ... ",..". 1.1y in it. Ilouri'hing e~po" busin .... , O l""n', fi lm. """" "KIely di"'i~u ted in ee ....
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many ("'he", the 1" in 191) 1<) 11"""" "",fots of J,200.!lll krone" it; . II-ti",o high ' In 1.1",., p.on. the firm o"'ed it, .ucceo, to it. willing""" '0 'pp""I .o. ""SO pubk Since film ",as ,,",w pfirrurily.n en' oru in""'n t bu,i""", it be< romantk melo<",,", . rtt ..., and onli. k gen"", m.y be gaugro b~ tho form', "'KIn., Sh.k<., .""on:, . nd <)th ... ",f tf>.e """'" to ",t.in • wudJwid. mot. , ont 0/ ""ree' lOT lite,.')" ".1 ..... Thi, ",.t"gy,' c""tempo,a,,' iKCOUnt tell. U', .. .. ..,pponed by ,he cultiva.ed m.o. 0/ oociety . nd the P '~ '" A ntm tn.>d~ lrom a fo"",uo work is ""lain to """i," a" ." •• "i". _~pta""', e,'en lrom too.e ",1>0 ",d inaril~ ron.Oder them.,< I,'eo opf""""l to fi lm:' " The """.,k , ug ge'" that Adapta tion' """8M..., ""train ",,"""'hip and d ",w ' he uPl"',.nd m;' hirinH ",Iebn,.d " ' S" ><"''' '0 l"', r.,nn in ;t, .>d.'plation., " Th .. indu",}', demand 10' narrative mate".1 brought in C.. I-n..,ooo, Dreyer. A joomali" 'ree;.,li';ng in ."ja. t.,n p""~" counroom "'I"'rts, a nd witty .ketcho. of <~Ieb. fit .... he rompooed .hrre "'rip" tor • omall fi rm in .ho ~"''-; NI2_B. H~ then " 'cn' 0\..,. '0 N,mli >l film' •• • p.ort-tlmc worke, in Ml_ What probI<m. JOd he den"" in tho ..
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mos,·rruduc'''" rl lmm .l ki"g, "-e ""gil' ,,, 1")" ho". Norui,k d i,·id...,j product,," l.lbo[, Dre)", CO 'CmJ "uJio rllm p~>< pl.lo "ing "ose I...·'ip'; nl\' .nJ ,,... ""-"'uj..... ~og,· (" ''''iog) hod 1>0",0 ""1"",.-.1. bo, ,,'" dil';· ,ion of 1.00. "'os M ., p"";'",-.; , j would 1>0,,,,,,,,-,, s.., h i, d ",;.... ",.,.d' pl'<·d ",mew,,",' ," Qn., ",k w", ,hoo, "f wnr ·
i"g in "',,,,k.. , 5i""" • film', "",rip'" migh' Oe o nl)" , 'y""p>;' jot,a! dow" in ".,neil, the di",,'o, ",ouk! tn."ly imp"""'" wh ile , 0."";"1> ,he SOC""_ Only .r"" ,he ,"",;ng ",,-n.' di,llog"'- ..... '-'1"-";'0'1' li lk'S "'OII"",,'
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""'''' ,han " ·.....ding out b.kl .. kos. a...,mbh ng ,he fooIag~ in on intell igibk- orJ~r•• nJ ;n>ert;ng ' l>< ,i,le... D",Y"(' 'hird and mos' importa n' function wa. ,ha, of li,oral)' ron· .ul"'nl. r.:e>rJi,k had nothing on ,he "".Ie 0/ ,he ,tory de· paftInen' wh",h HoIfywood "'ouk! develop. h....,. yoa .. 1.>. '~r; >Om"""" had . upervi .. .rnf'/>'·ritmg. Working wi,h other au,hors in. di",arded gypsy wagon on ,he t>:ordi", lot, Dn.")"", oif"'rigi""l ",ript,. """o;", in 'l>< credit< of ' ,,"on')' Nord;", film. be · 1913.nd 1919. bu, doubtle .. he "'",ked u<>dil<.'d on many more. In ouch ci=m'ta"""'. the beginnins of DT<.")'e(, c. 1WJ defi ....>d h i. I.oor with in 0 li~rary, n'TT.'i,"~ conception of cinem., "A rna"..,iou. >chool.·· Drey.r I..>10r called ,he .. Ii", Y"''''' of litemy w<>rk." Apl"rently. ,he pupil' ......on. w.re .>crept.:lble to h i•• uperio .. , AltOOugh only ''''0 of h is od film •• u,,",'o • •;och 0"" i, .
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M.nlziu,. 1 '1l~) ;, • thrillef full of wha' D. """ c.l led "",nsalion," _ robberie.. .bduction.. trapdoors, ""r." labo"torie.-:ordi,k po;Iirih' gon"" "'tJ MtJ V••!.",,, (S u,mrdd",dy .f"'r he wa. hin.>d, Ore)'Of obtainc>d the rights to !lenhe "on S utln.... mor.lizing pdCiflci" no...,1. The film trod .... 0" 'h<- l iI~,a!}' ".'u, 0/ 'h<- sou«o by bcj;in ning w;, h "''' S u""", at ncf d.-..k ".rh"g 'n "'fi';' ,he story we . ha lt ..,." Ca refully dc.. i!l"'--d h", ....·u',.lHy I'he sold", .. "'~.. unid",,' ;(iable un;(,..",,). Nro Mro V..o.. "'"'" wos on in~"", tionol ewn though it ",.s ",. Ie.oed af'or ,he beginning of World War I. It i . l ik~ly lhol, ,ho! (ilm .1""' ....-<1 ,he m.ny did .... ", 'nl;,,'., film, ,h",og" "'h"," N",Ji,' hop<'<.I to "-'goin its cn.ombl i n~ intem-100n.l rna,,,,",. The val"" which , .... r."" pl.o«-d "" Ore),,',', 'p<' (;"Iized lite",)" .Nlit;'" may be g""g<"< foct ,h .. in 1915, he began fvll-~"", ,,"ofk Nordisk .I ~.200 ,,,,,,,,r PC' )'O'f ptu' rommi,.ions. "'",,'n II", " '.'.as'> w. ~ (0< 0 Doni,h workman was lAW '""",r pe ' y".r," H",,'O"" holrmoniou. working situ.,1ion might h",,· bo.."n in ""'ny ""1"-"<", ,",',' must be . 1"" (or ,he r>""'ul.lr d iffoc:"lh~s "'h"'" . n .rt iSl id~n'if.,. , True, by 1'112 ,i>e D.n;'h frlm fi""s h.d nu' b.".. n ' """,ughly
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r.'io",li,,>d The o,..,rt.pping n.ture of Dn.·}d' Nordi'" dut;"s por<>bobly intrOOun'd hi", ",,,,,ral phil ..." of the produc'"", prooe ... .rnd "''''ivmS IDl'Tl'lOS (n"" ""'" !""i' "'" (C"-""'. 0.;:, 1916) ,ugg<">t • ",1. ,;,""ly < , ~t.bor.tive ,",'o,k d plY..,. of production, A•• ti· tie,. he wuuW h ..... ~•• n><'d how (ootal\" could b< "'f>l.>ced by an aIH nclu,i,'e in"'rtitle, He so". how cutting routd b.•. <00>(' th<m>ughl}' '<"" ;''''; he Lo"" "",.11ed ,h." for an 00)."",,", film • d i,,"Ctor ,,"ould cnl)' Il50 ",LiO,",," He """,,Id ha,'e ..",n """" eac h "",I had 'c b< ru' '0 end on a 'hril ling 00". SO ,ha, 'h<- ,udie"", would b< held dur· i n ~ ""I c!\.anSo.," In .n , D",},o(, job would h.,'•• hown h im how Nordi", ,.n .o fnd.,,'rJi •• bo.'Came much more «o"",,"blly r.tion. t;;" .. d. Wurtd Wa, t ru'an end to what """ c.l1c>d at th .. hm<- 'i>e "golden oge" of Dan i.h film." Though 1913 had bo...,n a n."<'Ord )"~ .. 10, r.:"rdirJ:, ,occ..'ed ing yoa .. ..,w tl>< rompany plungc'. De.pi'" Denn,.rk·, neutrality, ,he war " 'ip<
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1917 le'kT 'o Ol..,n, """,>d ''''' firm', d"d;"" to economic cau""" ,I><' bu.i",·" t)"""";.. ,,od. <eft,;n """,boe. of film., 00' "",., of ,hcm ,hould n', ha"" t-n m.me; ,hc ~ "d <' di~· ",as ,ti ll ",m.-", h.!' , ond h> .n," 'cr '0 ',,"0 ",",'n: .1>< producCf, H",1d Frost, .nd the -,'ud" "'-'''''ger, \'Vi]""lm S""hr, "'M mad. budg ... ry
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d<'d,ion., 01 rou"",. shooting had to be '''''''.p and la't os po.,ible, The di""'to, might e.'p .. in tile """'" to tile "a,t in ad ,'a""". bu, he "'ould prob.lbly not hold ,e"""""I, . During filming. ,he dir«'o, woulJ oo.>ch ,he ac'o!'> ('"Shu' ''''' d(>,,, ' Tum 'ofW) ."d .. ,>Co ''''' acto,", probobly dkl "0' know 'ho I,,,,,, '''''}' "'~'" ' 0 'I"'<,k. ,he dinx'or woulJ ked '""m ,he b r<maino.>d incom p.".I)' dofined; bec., u", pnKlooion ta.k> had n,,' be.>n . , st"""y ."signo.'tjc ,,'ntrot r<>m.i""d "!",n, 5i""" In.., "'ript "'.. "I"'n h lt l~ mo,e th.n • pr<'d,. d;'kog"" be pn'!"r<'<1 by ''''' d i';h h.OO in 'hi' ., he can.' w uld be turned to ttl<' di" "",,', """"fit in the """wi it offered 0""' oKHng styk- a nd "'m,," S 'Kh I"mud< in ,hi. rol<> IN Urban G.d to conclude th.:lt d'''pile the in'."",ntion of many "",k. .... "'no"" is m",e d,-chi"" in ,d. ron to the ,·.Iu,' "f ,h.· ,,""k t "'n tho.: d i ~ "'h " i, The d i""h,,' ' 'pint ,..iill"'"" •• t". ",hobS o in """ p<»t fN fiw y ..... one mus' e i,,,,,, ad,'ance him 0' get rid ,>/ him. I wonde, il my Ii"" yo" .. are nont 0I.."f' '' Ore)'er coo.e .m " pportu,,", """""n' , , ince J i'''';h>r, ~ ,,"-'Cn "'''l'ing :r 0",),,.,-; fi"'t til,n, The I'rtSioIt.', c,",~kI " ....' )om with", ,"" d i" ""O<'. rok', H" .... . ,bI<> h' "','"'" If><' ""uow.n<' .., .. a Ii' ..,,), "" n,,,It.n', The ocnpl ,dhered to i':ordi,k", gen'" of ,he upl"" -< .... melod,ama. (SI"J ', m.""g<>' Stae l" is to """. p.. i",1 Tho> PrrSidmr OS '". SOIkl "'d· loshiono.biIity fil m .")" AIIhough Drey., """-,,ted the r
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If O"'Y,· • • < rea >e>n """ Id bo ""om"k Film. Kom l"'gol wo,," to m.ke . fi,...pn>dW:I(wltK:h io my e)·.... , .... ..".., ••• hod fum) wltilo my 8"'1" n... f."" """i<~ _ ......u........" Nord;,..,.', ~po""e. whiclt c,"'" from 010 0Ikn h",,· M'li. .........plif'" ,ho, proI>Irm whiclt 0..,'" "",m",~ . ....., ,tw 1NdtJ. 1l1 c........ ~ 1M ~ ~ity ro. """'~ ."" romp'''Y ",,, fin.oncial ri>k and .Il0l "" m,.;h lO' ";"&1< f,lm. I ,I.., darK»' ,h.o, I am '" • position ,h.o" l"'" Ie> iu<W> h",,' ""ond """",",,-eo in 'h.o' ",&,m .... y"" h.o,... ~'rd yt>Ur5<"Il '0 romply wijh "'" ...."...,..,ir regul.'ion .... "" 01 .. " would 011eT no mow ,horn lSO.000 k.,....,'. On 2S M.rth 1919. Drej-'" g.l"" i", "CI",uml"""" <Jf ",u~ do nor to """- m)..."f 10 • , ul' iMDI'1ng 7(1,000 '0 100,000 k"""" . 1~, 'he..-/on,. '" 1/>< will <Jf the G.". ...AI Mo....!>" .0><1 lO "",,", .he f.lm iust ... yoo ... ,,1<'<1. lho, .."", Iin>or.- tw ooIomnI)' dftoy • ny ~ty fa-.he ~nbIwd rolm."" 11w .....1 day .......... "", .. >«I Drd ' 0 ,_" ,h.o, ",. hod _ .... sIfIn<."lm .nd, now ",.11<,,,& ,1>.>1 tw m,," "I' .nr i< film.., 'M' ito <»iglnol n.mnin~ , ..... " I "'" hooT> " .... fN""rd to ni ... ,)· minu ..... AO!M:h· from • _ .nd .n 0.10 '" ,ho,' "",.ndolou." Klftninll- 0..,... ",,,,,,-, Fmst ~ leO"" m"'"g pie .. ""ilh mdignoOOn
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We: .... y .......... ,h.ol " >t. ,,""" .,.traonli...", .nd .... __ dlnaril)' fmil ....... 10<. Nordisk filmmobo, "' .... ~ Io folm .... , in .not .... rooJ"' 'Y. u-..... frr"" $.0 ... ', _ . "' •• o...y..(, L.., folm tOO' No<' d ..... ~. I '..:IOB J",'l>tk ~ 1«1 10 N • .,,,'ing: N"",· g.l,,< firm w . . dring; IPIc o.."i,n folm iI>""",'" "'•• ' ''''''''''' .......... 1)' iM,.Nlty. ~ I\uct",,_. ond .~ tioing unem.~ . "8u. II..[~ riot><...-... is lhot Oro).... u ....... ""lOll,.., ,,'" I'''...... m whido ho, had definod , how to mal.oo .n ." ,,'ort; ;" Itw f nnn: 1:>0, ... ilhe, did I~.,. h,i,.. lu I>t ind.prK1 lou oinfll<' """p'nr "" ".""",,,,, "'~ mi .... ' b. ~bIo . n.. film ..... kn <,country. Althou&h 11Ii. ""uOOn ~ " ...... '" in ..... ~ . rIy do .. .-./ """"'I"'Ir him j>IOlI_ . Th ...all..m,.,;,..., ....... o..y.e..n In...... tioruoI ".,~. flo· I"'"",,, !9lI).nd 192:6, tw .-..do ........ films in fi".., "",nm.... .ond no> "'.., film< 10< tho ........ (0",, _ , " '... ,.,., ,,'hidl could Mrd ly ho,,,"- ~Im,.." l r.nanrilUy O«\J . .. 8ul", ""urn ,ho ."'" ..... indop<.., .U I"" .. "'M.nothot- o.m.., !loTI..... '" Cl\~. ""'~ .. Drey<-t'. _ , In 1913• • , ,ho "uk of ~;,J<'. ~ Cl\",,_ _ had ..1;"n """ ,ho lifty fi"" 0.. ..... Biog<'.J· i X (l'I1 l)'M NitI<' tt{ i1L<>tttg< (19m, In o,r!)' 1'1.!0, ;",,10. lrom ,tw Nit'" ""... , Int", """" $.0,... •• &,,j:. 0rey<1""'" C~,;."'n .." • • • m,m figh'ing '0 ..or~ Ind"p"nd""H ly tJI ru"' ....·,.,...1 «,,,.tr. i,,,", "In 0. .......... h.,,, . l .... y. t-" It (red""" • po>iti,-.. ....... 'M "'...... mil" "f'I'-"Nd_ Ilt'nj.min (hris'.""'-"" _ ..'.... rl<ed lhom "", .. i.~ <-. ", and .n.~ for "'VI)' ~tll>,> ol..... ~,.. " To
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.....,k inft",,~ amid an the .. fogu~ wouid m;;; the poinl. Whal D"'l"'" .... d in lhe co""",, of Griff,tn. SjOStrom. and Chri.,e....,n w~. a craft heritage oJ'l'O"i"l to the rou.ini.<ed labor of ··manufac.uring fLlm· product • .•• Such • "$on "Iatti.be ." I.... ~'my ,,'0' . 1...-..<1)' N),lalgi< in 1920. N'~ · er\he""., D~"", "",,,, ... d h;" I.i,h in ' he film .rti .. n. Ihe c..,.tor ",no m.ode one fdm from t"l' to bottom, _ins H IhrtJoUSh evel)' ph."" of Ihe prod",Iion pro<.ss The concoption of the director a•• ni .. n ,h_po"d prodoction h.lbi,. which "."uld remain ronol.nl 'hrougnoul D"'yd. c.""" . E,'e l)' f,lm ", .. ed upon a mountain of preP-'''~'I)' ", ... ",h_ H~ would "",urnu"" o fiks of N)",". elippinl;'. and photogroph" Pictu"", 01 cos'"""'s, fumi _ IUT~, "'tti,,&>, painUnl;', .nd ,,_,"", WQuid I."'r bo "..-d ' 0 .now tlo< st.ff and c." lhe 000'1 01 ttnages he ",anled, Preb<:n Thorn .. n nnll' Iha' fur M<'!Ito D",}"", rollo.'(k'd ma t.· ,;'1"os if in p"'pa,. tion lhe,n."" Tu ~ vcoid • m,'(hani _ col 'plil b<:'",,,,,n "'rip'ing and ,hooling ph._, D",y"(' ,.,..",,00. neve, menlioned c."", .. f'C"ilion> . nd .. , d~ tail" he would mob, the"" < "-~ h nB" exxlly and ..."" '!>ey .." pl..ced .od w!>e", lhe 'nYI(ha ir if, '-"'c:· .. Later in Ih;" chapter we shall _now Dreyer'. wurk with acto .. dotermined ,he regimen 01 , hootin"" ~t Ihio poinl . il i. onougn to ""'" , f' or 1Lot... from Sat,"', "",*, part 0/ "i, biogr,phic. 1 Ic!!"nd included work me'hod, which "' jecl<ed lhe oroin.1)' di"ioo" 01 production bbo, Drryer'. ";..., of I..... director os arli",n .1 .. , "'plain, II,,, bewildoring v.... ty 0/ hi. fohn ",,,,k duting.to. 1920< . AI _ '''',ugh the", wOS some nt, .he [ur"p.. n f,h'rt indu,,1)' hod \"" )n ...... k. n by ,he p"",,'ar in,·.. io n 01 A",,--ric.n fLlms_ S""h u""-",,led condition. gow tlirt h ,,, hof"'ful . mall firm •.• nd se' Ia.-go f,rm. .,,.,,,hing fo, """"'thing ",hic h ,,'ould compete with .he Hollywood prod""'_ DIlrin8.he 19200, Dreye, " '0' Able to .ynchmn .... his urge. for indop
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Tn """'" cl"'urn .... """" he WAO able to ovoid monopoly (itmmal;ing . Itog<>tlwr, n-..", we", m."y sm. n f,rm. on Ihe fring'" of the big oompan"", In 1921 to. mod. TIlt- S'igm.,tnt 0"", (or ,he tiny I'rimu,fllm 101 Serlin. u'ins _ "" rompos<.'d prim.rily "f Ru,sian emiS"; octo ... n-.. firm _m' "" .... , t<> h ..... mod" .""I ..... r ~Im . n.." f()llo"'ing spring (ound Dreyer b.>ck in o.n""" k, "'he,,, the the,t", owner Sophu. Mad .. n had formed a company t<> prod""" • new ,'e ..ion of 0"", "I"" • Ti,"" which Dreye, ,00t t!>ot ,urn mer. For Viol"toria_Filrn 0/ Os\o Dreyer made Th, Eo1.k of GIcmd.1 in lhe ""m""" of 1925, bu, the Nor.... egian f,lm inJust')' " .•• mA'Wnol. turning 010' "" Iy 1"'0 or Ih"", films, Y'''' Ew n Ito. D'oi,h form rall> 'ron"" o.,"yer'. Tho" Sh41t 11o"", Thy Wi" in 19:!S. During the .. produc'ion., he woo.bIe to lolto..., lIOme of hi. moot ch .. oclerist'" habits, e.pocially lhe roIk-ction and ""rutiny uf piclu"", p",-j.>in;nS t<> ' ",' 81,-..", film'. m ,lieu. and the """I""lion of .m b; hou. "'" (a Ru""n ,'iII.ge lor nu, S'ig""'ttnt 0"", '0'1 'por!menl romplet. ,,·ith fU",,'ioni"S plumbinp,. lW>ti"(;. .nd heoting ro' Thou Sh.1t 1-1",." Thy Wifuld no' h"" hired him on A "'g_ ula, ",.i. On 'wo occ•• ion., D",),er did work for laTge-" " '" film rompa n",,_ In t\>!9 S,,,n, ~ Filmindu",i launched on .,_ tompt to roml"". wilh Anwricon production . As part of it, intem.tion.ol camp.oW>. it boughl ",ud.., l.ociti ..... in ltd · \e",p, lhe filmmaking ,ubtoro of C"ponh0S" n •• nd on _ !\"S"d Senj.min Chri"en"n .nd 0.9«' During 1920 Chri''''n''n worked in Itenerup on IfWl" (Tior Witch, olso lin",,"'n as Wilchc ..ft through tl" JIg"' ) ",hi .. Ore}'" ,,'ent t<> Sw.den TO film 111< 1'0""",', 1'1 ..",,_ In '" "'''y tiU«I "Sweol Swo;.B;, would .!.o ,urpa" 11011)"'...00<1: "Sw..o"n fw, for ,to. ,Ime [,clng ""'I)' s. lor . k,ng Ii"", to come, ,10< leAd ing f'C"ition it "". won,"" C i.on S"ensk Fitminclu"'ri', ambition •. lhe firm migh' wcll .... , .• ""' inod Chri.",,,,,," .nd D"-"Y~" . Iong with SiO'.ron-. ond Stil"" . Bu. it """"" Ii.ely Dreyer, or S • .,nsi, or bo.h. we,,' un"'iII i"B 1o ronlin"" .heir .m.. """ in ' "" f..,., of .. decli ning ma,k~L More lib, .he u..v.. from Sal,,"', Book ,anglo we", D",)"lT'. ",[ali,... , wj,h .. "-",,nd tlig finn . In 1924 Dn:-yer
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cwntu.lly diMol,'ed, the Soc",t. C.oo.l. ~,.,.bI<: to """ . tinu< . '\pl'-''''ntly .tlil >I!<M '''' 1"",I0r! Eps'ein', Fini, T,moe, M.urice Tou",",u"'o i'Equil"S'"' . nd Lo 1\«..,., M d'A"_ In ",.klns II"" ,0In>, Dnl)'.-g . Shot in . ",ndown ch",:au " ';'" m."y no""",o .., V""'I'lI' "'.. . .... .!el Qi ind"pendenl prod""'ion_ It could not, ",->"... "", sua",nt"" Ore)'" ''''oW doml n. ted folm m.king in " irt".lly ."'~' roun"}'. Alte, ,he coming Qi ><>und, monopoly con trol of filmmaking .harply ;rocfN..d, Sound po'.nt. and tech· noiog;c~1 priorth". I=ed !Irn.lll finns ou, of busine .. ~ nd irocreo<ed roruoIid. OOm. In ,he . il.n, cinema, a poly. lingu. 1 tOlmm.k<), ",uld mow I""" country 10 <"'""'I)', but SOund "roc"",,!,'eJ t~~ h.,cloning of n" ion. 1 bo unD"'yd. problem.'ic positio" . . . hi. tin" , i. d,.mah" .. d bJ-' tk< ""c""ity "I making 'h"" ,..·"ioo, Q/ 1-'""I'lI' If"''''h, C""",", . nd English) . W ith. "'p"I.">On h.,- being. fi""",," i ri,k .nd • rumm i''''''nt to di",""o";'l con'roI, DT\'}'" "". me not onl)' indel"'nden l bu' "'" u"""'p',yab\< . After I'.ml'll" lw ~ kl not ,omplete • film lot ten yea". 'u< ,h. ",.,,,( ,d".-.", fr'In' '9:12 '" '%S, D,cw' ..c., margin;ol '" ,,,.,-Id r.lm pn.!""'.' '' _ H~ "'0' .b"c ';-' m.h' film, «I"'''''ic ,IKum>l,rK\'S. Tn Iq36 h. be);.n Mwl •• d. with n . ll>n .nO French \>..:kinS- bo,' .f'e' "".nths In 50.""",1., "', 'lui! 'lw P">i«', bl.omlns the pn>d"""", IOf hiring a n iMl'proprid'e """"" '" he""",,_ The rompl.in, 5" '" to sound l.m;l.", "The ""'0 "'00 sa' in Sdpe,,';,;ng Ihings from . di, .."". "''',k it Imp',.,lb", k" "'" '" fi ni'h 'lw fil m on which I hod don" . 11
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AI,., ,he wor, prosperit)" in .nothe, ""tion. 1dn<m. offered 0"-')'0'. I""", 0r ",,,uni,)"_ DU'ing ,il< ye.rs 1946· - ~8 . ,t.., F.nSji'h , in"mo w. , h,•• lIhy , ,,,,,,,,J num""'" 01 we,,, !>o:ing moldc.nd a"<'od.,,,," " ',, h,S""'_ Tt.., S'wemmont <011.-.;1 ~" ""'". ~("'_'" ",00""""', "',.,d ~ '''' ..., imp<~ " i/l ",riff, (on impo,' .d mm" a nd (·SI.bti,~ a ""'~ ",,,I fl nd<>(Cing 'Q'JX"d '~ "' . Acwml"nying thi> w • • • lrend k)w."J h i,toric.1film•• nd od'pt."ion, from Enl',li'h JilO,,,urdllmlJ V, lIaml,t, Gmrt Exporrt.,."", Oln~ 1\"'1"1. II rthur f;1I"". wllo " .• , , " " ,,,,,,inX ,h,· "So· ,;", o.."m., k" ",ri,,", "~'m , ,,, h."" o",.<)" "s<>d O,,"y~' ' 0 submi' , p" ,,,,,,,,, fo' M.'JI 5'"a" ' 0 Film T,.rd'.... I.'d . \Vith hi' m .... 1thorouSh"",", O"'}w hod ""," r<~ the pen.od, , nd h.·and h i, ,on hod writh·n.he ><Tipt in Engli, h . ,.,1\<.>, to umdon in 19-16, he ",,",,>eJ ,,, Denm.,k hopelul. bu, p""'P'".. .. I.d.'d " By 194$ '"'' boo n' io ,he Bnli,h ,, 1m ind u,"y "'., ,,¥~,_ Ore)',,, "'~' )'ot a""' "" !'<'S'ibilitv open up "'ith hi' pt.n. fo,. film "I ,t.< """" of i,",". _'Il """"" rm . ti ",.. lha, il< <<>" 'd gd ;; oa,"'i oi " 'it " ,he help of tno ,\"",nco" , ...... ". prod",,-'T Bo.',·i". O,,·i• . ThmuXh"", 'h<' eo,ly 19S(1,<, O"J"" >ltugglo.-d to mdk.· ,h,' film, Th•.' t ;mmg migh' lI.w"",.".'<1 tisht, gil'" '' tI", 0"""0'"' "f Bi ..... 1op;<s" th,' .."'" I~'ri.od. but finanrinR did no! <:Om(' th O'O tJ)!h·· In the m<"n tj n~' 1><' ")o\lin",'<1 ", wti": .,,~ di n'" g(wen",,,,,,' doJShip" The ~."r 195(1s we'" >,>mowh,,' "",,,,,lui f<>r 'he O."i.h r,I", ,,,du",<),_ n " ,,,, hod b<-e n d st~ody i""rn. '" i" liek<, "-""'pIS during 'i>< p<"",-d; "g d",,;Od ,','o of. S"",,,,,, NiX!rI, ""d M"" '"Iie "',,re yielding Bc' JI!Y"l".oit; " ..."', "'''b'''' n ..1 I" O"'Y""" e",,,·, "'«0 ''''''" . .. i,lI . fa,,'y "~"" , di,i";'", "f b b.,,_ TIl< pn.!"",". "'"' ... . m,,,i,,,,, l; "",,,~ 0, U...· di""..,,,, .. as " n ,.. h.";ul ... nd und." trodg<'t , "" ,,'0, !\",,,,,o ll y~" .",0.'_ The d ,"""", &,"'0"",0 tt.., .. d it · ing 01 II,,, lil", . O.n i,h p",docti()n .,,,, f.,·"",d 'h<~,tin g in id Oreyo, ' " p",,,.,,, th.' ",tip', dnd Odn "h C ultur.1 Film proposed the idea ,,, Tag< N"il..,n of 1'.1·
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1ad'u",. who .g~ to fi n.""" 'Iw projo;n:.yw lIi ",ed t"' l (he ,ubj<'cleo,. i>c resarded li>c project .s p"'p",,,ion fm lhe Ch,i" film'·' Ord,t won ....,b im fo, til< OJ.nish indu .. ry. ,,,,,,, j vin~ i"' .......'<1i.'e into"" h"n.1 di"~ bu ,,,,,, a"d .n .",oro.t ,h.' W,," .. Film F.","".,. Tho· In~,'p<'T>d"", dl""..· ,,,, "f 'he >ik'nt ",0 fodd "'" "m,· . n .rt·folm din """ e..",..j ""d,'d Dr0Y""-' ,'""" "n ....d ....... hi> molrgin.11 ",\Jhoo_, with pf'()dlKlior'l _ Asain fi",, 1'1<>'<1 by ". Ilod ium .nd ' ho' and "';il€d qukkly. the film had """'" Ie _ ol "" pons< .ha, h urt Dreyer r.... nci.oUy 00 """ ,hon """" ..... lIy. Ho "'.. by now ,....",only.fi,·•• nd ,n t..",lt n; p"'"p""ti"" """""" Ijf the Ch risl film worried tlat he ",'ou1d "'" I><.ble to complet. .uch • huge I"<>jecl . Fin."" ",I .upport (. 'MraclOllitic m"'· ture 0/ cart.1 fin.!"",.nd OJ.ni,h II""'mmenl sut..id}') fi· nally mme throu&" only. row dolY' 1><10'" he died _ Dr-eye,s NOW'phic. 1 legend , '''''n. ploced him in a ""riphe,.1 ",.il ion wi,h ' 0 t he iod ""O}'. He 1><.'."", an indo""odenl d,,,-'rg• ti"", or mo""'poly '<1 produc'ion ,",'os trongly ~ , .. bli.~ the .... s in , "y, France. Dn:)'", "'" .,,,,, i" • ",n.." ,,,'on ly y.'" .head of hi' ti me, In 1930 hi> Ira-lance , ta.u, w • • r.", .nd .hu. p,.. ,,,riou>; no. un.ilI950, wi,h the gene,ation 01 ",o"",,n, Tab. 1;,1[;" i, . nd A~tonion; . roulJ independent nlmmak< ... our_ vi,... by app"a)ing '0 i ~ 'emational .ud;'"",.,
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AN AESTHET IC OF liXl'RESSI V1TY O"'Y~"-' ""wo ph " ,,) "'S"n~ c'l"",r. II< publi,~ ting 1.>I1h h i, on dne","" When hi, ca""" laG!\ed in tho 19300, t.., '00;' up film le";''''ing. The ,,,,,-;Ou"",I"" "",,"arist - CT~ •.-.;I " bod~ of di>course 'hat ""'Sh. '0 define hi>
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AN AIJTtlOR AND "'S U'GEND
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.rti.be MO" g<,,,,',, lIy, O",)'or .""mpwd '" ",I... to. problem. th. t ~ v''Y .n;" oonfronts-'" outworn form" to. pen;""n' IradHioM, ,o. of d i"ingu;,h . 10\1\ o",,'s 0"''' ",o.k, M"", ' p<"urs.:;,d· d..,...,. ''''' probIL"" of ''''' art ",, film; in. p.!nicui.1r penpei<w'phioc. , "-'Send. "'~ ",u" und,..--.t. nd to. ...th<>tioc p~pI' ",hich "" Jefended, ay 1m, in hi' v;""" O.n;,h film I"ooor O",},e" mekxlram. oc plo/, of phy,ical oclion con.titu'ed outworn form, ",hioch h.d '0 be nega'e.! by ~n "pplk.>'ion of ...."o.nd eui,u.-c," This co"""phon d _<1 " '.. ron,,",,'oti,.. by , t.nda,d, 0/ od,·a"",.,! t",'nl ~'Ih-«, nlu ry thinking. Like ,he French Imp"-",io,,i<>. 5<""",n""rl> or lI<-rg. Kafka 01 Apom.... i"'. In.toad 0/ look· ing 10 Ihe al'ant-g.ude in other ar", P!O!ln.... i"e li lm"",' · eT5 ' kippo.'ption. of art, Yuri Tyn;.,n"", "-",,.,k,, , . ,~ 'h(: with ,he fal"'"" the grandson tum. 00' 10 ",.. mbk hi> lVandf.,her."" ShieHy 'p"aking, Dre)1" "'.> nol e,'on C<)ntempor.'Y wi,h h .. contempor.rie" fur hi< ,hi"ki"!> -"" h im "I"' rt from ,he ot.Iin trodi,;,,,, of fi'm ,n.,>Ory. flo'" mOKh dKl the <3 Id0C! by depictin~ profound and ,ul>ll" poy,hoIogic.' o"p""" "c.,._ "Art wI! "-'P"""'" tho.> inner, and not lhe outer Ij!.:·" If film ...,k,
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dep,h. it must Jr.w "p',n ,he l"yct.>l<>gic>1 ..... p.!' <"d • fil m a. "a merging of a nd drama in ''''' l<>tm 01 pioc. lk org.."! poets and no"eli", to tl}' tOO r Nod; . t ci"""... " nJ he t>.1;,·,',·d tha' lho.> >piri' of 5",,,i.lao.' )" '''''al", W{>TIt ,hould "" tran,fe","! to Ihe ~n, SjOstrom "''' , . ignifoc.nl din."to< "" ... rip" .nd i"t<<1i,,,,, ~..- N".di;' >ow d nema OS <> plici'ly li..",y a nd Ihe.,ric.I, With ,t.... ooming of "",md, D",}"" v;"w, bound 'he d""ma ewn more closely to the Alloough hj, ..",t....tio< of poycoologx:.1 ",. Ii.m ",;.ctt>d ,he e""S!I","ion "I to..,,,, conwnlion, (.<1ifoc;"1 "'"', ",'assc',.1I,'
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alon<, ~'itIlOU ' o.lp from "'.ggor.,ed ""und df""ts. mu.j· <. 1 acromp.!nimen l, and in"",ted mu,ic.1 numbers, 'he poychologic-'l pl.ly i, p.oo..bly ,,, b<, ron,;oc..,d 'he """t sui'."'" m''''ria l.'''' 'n 'hi"Mistence upon' ,he.tric. 1dne"",, ''''0 ,onden· cies , t,nd out , One i, generic. To ",h.1t the.tric.1 mode will It.... gen"i"" ""lnd him co"'-""J'Ond l Lak' in hi, c.n...", with hi. bio):.aphic.I J"g,'nd r."" I)' "".bJi.h
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. n,,,,",, .,,. in,·athing hnk< V_pyt. ~ '" "'''''h • • n~ Gmn. Lighr i" ... " . Mnkn ,,"ould raise the quality <JI iHm., "The film •• h.1I therefore _ without Io>ing thei' filmic" iMi· vOlu.alit)' _ be lilted to the..,,,,,, ani;to< t. ....1 OS the mo>t und~".. nding the.t .... porlorm. n"",," " It wo' lho good lhealre lhal t"""tric,l cinenu in the "'gic mode .hould ;m· itale, " IVha t ,rtis'ic role would thi, ,,,,,.,ric., cine"", . , . .ign to tt.! filmm.k",? It is no accident thot the ""ne 0/ d it<"
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From Dre)"l'f" ",ritingo, hi, recorded corn"",n", and his < prob. !em of a rti"" .. I~ wit hin commodity produchon . IVha t IV,It", s.,"j. m;" .. ",., cha,actffistic of lilmmaking_ the f.oe t that to. acto, pt.oy' In . mach;"., . nd th.t hi< '" her role i, built out of mo"y .matl bd, ,. t"'" th. n out of a «>". tin""" , porrotm,""",,-Drerer _~, to O'''Kome with a oon«pticm of the acto, • • ly hum.n." In this ""I'I(>!ption . • film studio could not rationalize c."lng, ,,;nco tl>< di"""', muot intuit the ality, chorocte" and tempo",nen!."" 0"", ol-.<>8< octo, must """pre.." _ li""ally, P""" out. m.i<e "",nif. ot - to. im.. , qualit ... which the director ha, pe1'«ive;l, l1'Ie difl"Ctor ol'Oid. the routi"" of rna,... prod<>mp,' 1'<"d tl>< d irector to A mOl,,-i!e, ".nding
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by whi'" 'he .,"'" ON"" the perform."", from within. "01> t of hi. own .lti"" "",ngth,"" All the famous D",)", toctio _ .. tt;ng up """""n, . rouM Falron<,,; . living wilh , .. t and crew while fdming V","~ r, ,hoohng d'A'" in < oct of folming 'hat would «>unte, tr.. ",,,ti,,,,, . nd sci>edu"'. of "udio fllmnuking, .. Dreye' be· l",'ed tMt through an .Imost my"ic.l rapport wi th his P"')""" the directo, could ".n """nd 11'1< """,hm ic".1 «m' " ,. ;n" of "'.ss product .. ", The Sign of thot tran><:endence, lhe . i ~ of hurrun ". pre"i" i!}, "'ouk! be ,he 1",,_ CcrmJ"'" ",,,,,,J,.. 1920: With the c"",lng of 'he I..,.t clo. ,"up lhe d0Y' ,-.I t....' I\nm;>«' ,,"' .... "'.~,. Film h.ld fo uM it> WO)' 10 human "'p"""ntahon." 1'12(, Eve')lth i"s " "m.n ;, in the foe., ... l1'Ie I~;, 'he m;no, of the "",I: thi, must """<>me the slogon 01 the si"'nl .r• . " I9-IJ: Q-stu," ~ndo"", tl>e f..,., with ",ul, and loe;"1 . , . p .... ion is ,n "xu"'",,,,,,.,.n, pi", '0 the 'po""n ,,'ord, ... Mim< i, the Q,;g;Mt m,-.n. '" ""p"",ion of inner ",po"""",,_ " 1'155: The",;, nothing in tt.! "'orl~ tMt ",,'" to tt.! humon l><e . It;' ~ land one n<>"., ~ hI'<-'" 01 "'-ploring," 19M What I _k ;n my film ' , what I want to <>ht.lin .;" . I"'"o"ot;"n '0 my Kto,,' profound though .. by me.". of tho;, most e-.p", ..ion., Fo, thew ,'" th.· "'P"'''''''' Ihol ...'.a' 'he of the po""n. hi. unoon"""" ' t...,ting, the "", .." . thot I;,." in the depth of hi. SL Thi< is what i" te""" .... abo,,, .n. not tt.! techn"!"" of tt.! nuine artistry p"'. ibk in a m.o "· prod"".~ .n_ 0"", filmed, the repreoent.lhof'l of the ""ul ri_ abov~ tt.! contingency of cinema a. oommoJity. Cinematic ")"'" mtl ·up off'" tt.! d ire::toT • ""y to magnify ["" .. I ""p"", • .,n ."d " "-,,~,,, in"., dm na._"" For . nother. decor GOn .upport .rId in",n.i!y Iho ",,,,,I.'ion of pel'>Onolily, CO"""I .."ling> """ put 'h,· octo' into the propo' mood : the "''' of I""'''' d 'A. .... . n
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roo"" 01 G<,ITUd w~'" designed to make ,he .>etors fe e> ... nlial in ""~ ry . ingle ,hoI _ usually, ,he acting,"" No wond~, .hal D"')-eT' !\cript, contain .1"""" no .hot b",.kdown. or note< ., to poolho",. Henning Bend""n, ct"""a· .ographe, for 0""1 and GmTUd, fL'Col II, 'N' <:>nJy .fte, N'~ ing adiu,,,-'" ''''' . nd ,t.... "''''''' ... Orryer start to plan how the ocene would be Ii" shot. arod ""," 'f)-", prirn.Ky 0/ ,he actor I'«rui" other film td in bu, ,,'h~r ,t-..- 'pirit in and behind ,hings," M Why mUS' tt-..- c.lm whi..,..,.. 01 lhe deror be "'oken by .... fo'" ~' " Th..., 'hing> .no lhe", for 'ymb<~k ",." "ns, Even if ,he symbol. conno' be "'>ckground will be .bIe to be ..,tuN imrll<'<>Iving , .peri. foc problem, The inett.ble e.nn<>! be m"' -prod'-""'OCio1 human ....,nc~ .,,,,,.,. 0 u .. lul purpoo<, l4nish ope""", SwMish p"'udo-Iol ~ .. Ie, Nor..-"s;'," romance """~I, .1>< ".nol oi. • , .... 1in medieval fra"",. English horror . tory, Sc.ndin""'n pJ' Y'-oll <=mplify .he fund ..... ntal "p",";w""" of lhe hu""n soul. The Iran .,....d,·"t.l ..... """'" 1";"" 0",.." . , . " ' u,,,,-" ",60",1 d;f!"n,nreo, • ,-isOon' ry • .m, ",,,,,ling: time""," truth. , Ho.,w ,,'.U .hi< biogr' phkal ~ "' •• a.npt,>d ""'y be judg<>d by . "".... .-1. mad. 1»' • f"'''''h cri'ic' in 1'n7, whkh could •• ocru ..",]y have t-n written Iorty ~." ]a'er: Of Do"M n.tion.lily a"d upbri"Ein.~ "", of S"~di'"
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"""" ~ty hum"" rim"" , m""'''ionol in ito ""'«silo'lily '" oIll'f'JPk, of u~ ..tr;.., roa, of U'Mtrt..,0' "",di,;"", " Wilhin 1I'''lom film pmdudtrtion pr"'l;.:.,s .nd theore,k . 1 p"'C'pb would ron'tito", soIu,ion , The ide-o, inlonning t~ p'octice, ,rod prt"Cept> challenged contemporary nom" by opplying a Roman'ic concq>liot1 of vi""n.ry <",'ion .nd ... """,nden' vol"" • twent.,th-<enlury .rt form, All 01 ",hieh i, not reducible 10 .. ying th .. Dreye(, .esthetic ".,w ••lmpl)' ",flected h;' production circum,t.n"" , or th. t 0' • young "",n he bl""prinled.n ..,,,I><'k pro~t.nd "'loo t to Ii", it, Hio-10.-'.,.lIy, Drl"y~r lhe "","'" w •• defined 1»' the m.n', expe~. «,ruin "",he,k .ssumplions curnon' in hi. m ilieu, ond ,he ,,'Olution 01 tl>< Europe.n film indu'tn.-., ThaI .n .Iles< 10=. dld nol ... ally """h i. perhaps beot indic.t'ed by ,he .. ,..,.,1dM"",II;". "'it hin .he biographical legend. 0"" incon,i... ncy .""" il we c,,",ider ho ... Drt')le, hoped c"' ••". cinema 01 Ii .. rary ,·. Iue, It;•• rue ,h., ",,,yon< of hi' ~1U'" film. wo. an ""p,.,;"n of r"lion or d ram•. yet no m.te ....1 i. pure or lOW; i, alre.dy co "",,, • ~rt.;n hislorical w~ishl, The lor Dr"y,,« f,lm. "',,'" .urpri,ingly """"'ser>rou •. He "'., d .. ",,, '0 'um·oI·'he·<~"'urJ f",ion .nd d,.m., g....... I1)· in the Sc.ndinavian re. li.t Iradition. n..,,,, is the 0'0,.1 posto •• I: Kri,tof"r j.n",n', ..ory "'hkh """.m~ 1Jrt lit"",,', Widow (c. 19(0)' jacob B. Bull', "",..,I17t, B,ioI< of Glomdori (1908), 'The", is ,he melodr.malk n""~I: Karl-Emil FlOnzoo'. 1Jrt Pr«idnli (1883), Aage Mad~lung'. io<¥ On, JLJwlh" (m2), 'The", i,.100 lhe fi"-I) . nd of Hi.lm., Soderberg', GmrlMl (19Ob) Popul.nzoo ",. Iism in .he 'hea'", y",ldod S,.....-.J Rindom ', comedy 17t, F"II 0(" Tyr"'" (1919, filmed .. n.," Shal, H""", Thy Wi"l and H.n. W""Hen!Wn', l\lse",,"l'" linn, 1W<»do"". fl9O!l, mmed . , Doy of W"''' l. Even the non Sc. ndi""v;.n ><>UKe. lend 10 be oi.lhe 10", run<.""n.h "''' 'ury : MOT" C"",lh'. s.:.rn.c.. of So/,m Il!l%l, the pu" ~ "" .".,"" fur /.M'rtI ""'" Sol",,', 8ool; .nd Sheridon t. F. nu·, I" "Gloss v",lly (1872), foIrIl<';l th~ ""''''....1 whkh Dreyer ad.pled ""W g"'" li"'ra'Y ''',U"" Nearly an oi. hi. "",n,.. were populor in ,n.;, 'irn~, bul lhe)' a", 'oday conoidored minor II"n", wo.-l. '" kitoch Eve n 'he mos' ""pee'ed originol sourceo _ Holge,
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Droclunann', nahon.Ii"", f.iry u k One< "I"'" • T.... (1932), ond &ng',M" _ -.nioy I.",., oN)' wi,hin Sc.ndin,,, ",, D... Y"r' . . ., '_ of un;,,, ....1 human e ...""" do.. not "9""'" with the ""ITOW range of hi. -""'=<, roor doos h;. concern fur whot he had called, in SjOs'rom', c,,,, "(he ".,.t out,tanding work. 01 literalu"," .~hit>it i,,,,11 in ,he .. ]""."'" of .""h mediocre worko, !n 0 ,im;l.l , ""y, .h. 01 the too .... '0 wh>eh D"",or app"'kd II,,, ""nUng of """.... wa, hardly 'ha' of;he od,'.nero cur",n,. of h;, d.y. 11 must be "'m=lbered ,h", d uring 'he oi""'"",'h .:.nlury ,he Dani,h ,heat'" had bc< Swede S'ri on ''''' octo, .rK! on "inn. r t"'th," «h<>ing ,he P"""rto of Shindboo.g·,.nd B,.nd",,·, N.,u,.)i" m. ,,;I........ ", ... ho>t waS a1TNdy cliched on ''''' ... ge But Dreyer', b;ogr.phK.llegeru1 nlu" be iudg..'<1 fun<_ t'oooall)' a. well. Moo, 'impi): "work,.o give u" I"'rt""' lar attitudo ,be film, . ~ega'i,'. I ); t~ Ieg<"TKI d~fines the work by ,ojrt"" 01 Dr"}... r'. rffiI ..b_hi. avet5lon to ""' .... prodoctlon filmma king, h o. d ;,ta,,, fo< ropul.r gen ..... , h o. ,tilf "'io, .,,,iU> works. Any romp-rom .... (18i!5), J(.,j Munk'o
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