S 1921 Move notes

  "Street Angel" is a poignant film that vividly portrays the struggles and emotional entanglements of the lower class through its intricate plot and profound emotional expression. The film begins with the protagonist, Angela, resorting to street performances and theft to save her gravely ill mother. The somber tones and melancholic music effectively highlight her life's hardships and despair. While evading the police, Angela encounters the street artist Gino, and they quickly fall in love. Gino paints a beautiful portrait of her, symbolizing warmth and hope in human nature. However, Angela's past looms over her, and when she is recognized as a fugitive, her happiness is shattered. At this moment, the film draws the audience deep into her inner turmoil, showcasing her fear and helplessness. One of the film's most memorable scenes is Angela's helplessness in court. Faced with indifferent judges and onlookers, she cannot defend herself, and her silent protest an...

"The Last Command" is a remarkable work featuring Emil Jannings, who portrays a Russian general transitioning from glory to decline. The film uses detailed realism, particularly through close-up shots, to capture the general's despair and struggle with fate. The film begins by showcasing the general's past grandeur with lavish scenes and exquisite costumes. As Tsarist Russia falls, the general experiences betrayal and humiliation, creating a striking contrast that enhances his tragic character. Jannings’ nuanced performance reveals the general's inner world, with every expression and gesture filled with emotion, allowing the audience to deeply feel his pain and helplessness. One particularly memorable scene involves the general being "dramatically" chosen to play a general in a film, recreating his former glory. This ironic twist is both heartbreaking and deeply moving, highlighting the cruelty of fate and the absurdity of history. The director cleverly ...

"The Passion of Joan of Arc" is an unparalleled cinematic masterpiece. Director Carl Theodor Dreyer, through his exceptional artistry and profound emotional depiction, brings to life the trial and sacrifice of Joan of Arc with striking clarity. The film, based on historical records, presents the final chapter of Joan's life, portraying her torment at the hands of the Catholic Church and the English occupation forces in a manner that is both harrowing and compelling. The film opens with Joan being led into the courtroom to face her relentless interrogators. Dreyer masterfully employs numerous facial close-ups and upward camera angles to convey Joan's fear, resolve, and tragic nobility. Each close-up feels like a Michelangelo sculpture, vividly capturing the inner world of the characters. The unadorned performances lend an authenticity that makes Joan's spirit palpably real to the audience. Joan is played by stage actress Falconetti, whose performance is so heart-wr...

"The Circus" is a classic film directed and starred by Charlie Chaplin, released on January 6, 1928. Chaplin won the special honorary Oscar for this film in 1927. Even in the 21st century, watching this movie again still brings laughter and profound reflections. In the film, Chaplin plays a tramp whose pure love shines through despite his poverty. His relationship with the circus owner's daughter, Mary, evolves from a crush to a selfless act of letting go, filled with emotional ups and downs. Chaplin's unique humor and delicate performance bring this complex emotional journey to life. In the movie, he cherishes the hope of love with just an egg, but when Mary comes to him, he generously and kindly lets her go to someone more suitable. This detail highlights the tramp's unselfishness and greatness; despite his sadness, he faces life with a smile. At the end of the film, the circus moves away in a cloud of dust, and the tramp sits quietly, leaving only a lonely figu...