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28-Sep / 0 COMMENTS
Now that I finished my studies, I feel that this is the time for new inspiration and adventures! Last week I watched the epic 1916 silent film called “Intolerance” directed by D. W. Griffith in Filmhuis Cavia in Amsterdam.
The movie was a part of their Silent Film Festival “Zwijg! maand van de stomme film”. If you haven’t been there yet, Filmhuis Cavia is on Van Hallstraat 52, Amsterdam. You won’t know it’s there if you are walking by it, but its worth the trip. It’s pretty small and intimate, fitting only up to 40 people max. The things that I found most charming about it were it’s warm and open employees and yet edgy underground decor. The atmosphere reminded me a little of the two cinema theaters I use to frequent in Jerusalem: The Cinemateque and the Smadar theater. It felt like home. Filmhuis Cavia
Intolerance is considered one of the milestones and landmarks in cinematic history. Many reviewers and film historians consider it the greatest film of the silent era.The mammoth film (3 and a half hours long…) was also subtitled: “A Sun-Play of the Ages” and “Love’s Struggle Throughout the Ages.” Griffith was inspired to make this film after watching the revolutionary Italian silent film epic Cabiria (1914) by director Giovanni Pastrone.
Watching the whole scope of “Intolerance” wasn’t easy. Although the film is breath taking with its monumental sets, lavish period costumes, and more than 3,000 extras, it feels like Griffith was trying to fit in way too much information. It consists of four parallel stories inter-cut that demonstrate mankind’s persistent intolerance throughout the ages. Not too ambitious are we?
To top it all off this piece, discussing intolerance, portrays views that are very outdated. Not just for today, but also for 1916 when it came out. It was quite uncomfortable to find out that most of the female characters in it didn’t even have a name of their own. Throughout the film they are identified only as: The dear one, Brown eyes, The mountain girl and The Princess Beloved, favorite of Belshazzar. What’s that about really? If you think that’s bad enough, wait till you see how Jews are portrayed in it!
So, should you watch this film? I’m not sure what to tell you. If you are looking for a feelgood movie to calm you down at the end of the day- maybe not. It is not what this film is about. This epic Hollywood creation might not sit well with you, but sometimes art just has to provoke us, make us angry and drive us to conversation.
In case you want to see the film and draw your own conclusions, here’s the link:
After my whole “Intolerance” experience I went online to dig in a bit and found this short clip from the television show “The Silent Years”. Orson Welles is Discussing the film. Gotta say I love it- they could not have found someone better to do this. Listening to him talking is always quite amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
The Silent Years – Orson Welles Discussing the 1916 film “Intolerance”
Cabiria D. W. Griffith Fiimhuis Cavia G. Pastrone Intolerance Michal Bitan Orson Welles