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法吉尔 Fazil
导演:
霍华德·霍克斯
主演:查尔斯·法莱尔, 格蕾塔·尼森, 约翰·博尔斯, 梅·布希
类型:剧情片电影, 爱情片电影
简介: Considering all the critical attention Howard Hawks has received over the years it's rather surprising that this film, the sixth he directed, is so little known. Admittedly, FAZIL is not at all typical of Hawks' work and lacks most of his recognizable directorial motifs, and on top of that features stars whose names only buffs will recognize, but it's a beautifully filmed, sumptuously mounted late silent drama that's worth seeing for its production values alone. For viewers of our era the most striking aspect of the film is that its story is based on a culture clash of West vs. East, specifically, the difficulties that arise when a European (presumably secular) woman who prides herself on being 'free' and modern marries an Arab man who follows the old ways and is a devout Muslim. This material lies in a danger zone that Hollywood has rarely ventured into, even in recent years, and while to our eyes FAZIL is quite dated and very much a product of its time in its depiction of Arabic culture, it's nonetheless surprisingly even-handed in presenting both sides of the case in a painful divide that, needless to say, is still with us.
Two things make FAZIL distinctly un-Hawksian in comparison with most of the director's later work: the emphasis is on the central romance throughout, with only very brief action sequences, and the ending is tragic. Once our lovers meet in Venice we are given many long, languid close-ups of Fazil (Charles Farrell) exchanging looks of adoration with Fabienne (Greta Nissen). They fall in love at a dance --a hint of tragic foreshadowing for Shakespeare devotees-- and then share a gondola ride while the gondolier sings the film's theme, 'Nights of Splendor,' courtesy of the film's pre-recorded Fox Movietone score. But almost as soon as they are married the culture clash begins, and we never get a sense that the two will manage to overcome their differences: they have entirely opposite notions of what marriage is supposed to be. Fazil believes that love is possession, that a husband commands his wife, and he has no intention of adapting to Western customs, while Fabienne, who is French, considers herself a liberated woman and chafes under Fazil's possessiveness. Neither will compromise. Soon it's clear that tragedy lies ahead, and it's just a question of what exactly is going to happen and when.
However daring it may have been for Hollywood to tackle this subject matter in 1928 the prospect of an actual Arab actor taking the title role was apparently out of the question, so handsome young Charles Farrell was cast in the lead. They gave him a pencil-line mustache and darkened his skin slightly, and that was considered sufficient. Farrell gives the role his best shot although he's obviously no more Arab than Barry Fitzgerald. His performance is generally restrained and seems to improve as the film goes on, that is, after an early scene in which he indulges in unfortunate eye-popping histrionics when he first sees his leading lady. The beautiful Greta Nissen, who was Norwegian, might not have gotten this role in a talkie but she's perfectly well cast here, and gives a sensitive, nuanced performance. Both Fabienne and Fazil have their faults but neither is presented as the villain of the piece, which is refreshing but also deepens our sadness and frustration as their relationship falls apart.
This film isn't for all tastes, and Howard Hawks fans familiar with his later work may wonder if it was truly directed by the same guy who made THE BIG SLEEP and RIO BRAVO, but for viewers willing to adjust to a more romantic (even 'soapy') sensibility this is a movie well worth seeing, especially for those interested in the culture clash issues at the heart of the story, and in the way Hollywood has portrayed the Arab world. Film buffs interested in the late silent era will most definitely want to give this one a look.
FAZIL is a slow paced film about an Arab prince falling in love with a French blonde bombshell. The culture difference between modern Paris and the old culture of the primitive hot desert makes marriage life difficult for the characters played by Charles Farrell and Norwegian blonde Greta Nissen. FAZIL was distributed as the sound era was breaking its silence and the film seems a bit old fashion for its time. But Fazil has some beautiful close ups of its stars and the music throughout is moody. Worth seeing for Howard Hawks direction and a glimpse of Nissens beauty. Apparently Hawks had problems convincing Farrell and Nissen to make their love scenes more steamy. So he toke them both aside and told them separately to get busy. The advice paid off. Next project for Greta Nissen was as leading lady in Howard Hughs HELLS ANGELS which first was filmed as a silent. He decided to re-shoot the dialog with sound but Nissens heavy Norwegian accent did not fit the role as an English Lady. She was replaced by newcomer Jean Harlow. FAZIL was thought lost, but has surfaced and become in demand at various film festivals.
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情场现形记 Foolish Wives
导演:
埃里克·冯·施特罗海姆
主演:瓦莱丽·杰曼普莱兹, 玛丽·菲尔宾, 鲁道夫·克里斯提, 杜邦小姐, 梅·布希, 莫德·乔治, 埃里克·冯·施特罗海姆, 戴尔·富勒, 塞萨雷·格拉维纳, 马尔维娜·波罗, 奈杰尔·德·布鲁里亚, 罗伯特
类型:剧情片电影
简介: 德国移民的名导演埃里克.冯.施特罗海姆花费了一百三十万美元和十一个月的时间摄制而成的超级文艺片,原拷贝长达五小时,公开上映时浓缩成三小时半。由于耗资惊人,好莱坞大亨本来对埃里克颇有微词,后因本片获得意外的卖座成功而作罢。故事以1919年的蒙地卡罗为背景。埃里克扮演一个欺骗美国外交官女儿的白俄亲王,靠着剥削他的情妇----一个貌丑的女仆为生。由于性虐待狂的驱使,他强奸了一个不幸的白痴女子。最后,他被人杀死,他的尸首很有象征意义地被扔在臭水沟里。埃里克对自然主义情有独钟,希望把一切情史都在画面中表现出来。他特地在加州海边搭建起蒙地卡罗的赌场和雄伟宫殿的布景,并且在采光上有十分大胆的处理方式。影像上也富于感官刺激的煽情暴力场面,甚至劳烦电检单位剪掉了其中的一些镜头。在片中,埃里克用一种辛酸的悲观主义眼光来观察人类,对上层社会的腐朽和封建作出激烈的抨击,流露...
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三个邪恶的人 The Unholy Three
导演:
托德·布朗宁
主演:Daumery, Delmo Fritz, Mickey McBan, John Merkyl, John Millerta, Louis Morrison, Walter Perry, 朗·钱尼, 梅·
类型:剧情片电影, 爱情片电影, 犯罪片电影
简介: