In continuing to talk about those special silent Spanish films, this aristocrat thought that it was time to rant about a unique, silent film of interest made in that country
the exception that proves the rule
that film is "La Aldea Maldita", directed by Herr Florián Rey.
The film was made in the "talkie" year of 1930. Florian Rey had made a sound version of "La Aldea Maldita" that had even more success in France, where were shot a few scenes of said talkie. However, that sound version of "La Aldea Maldita" is lost forever. Last but not least, Herr Florián Rey made a remake of the film ten years later, a film that can't compare with the original, silent one. So to consider this film as one of the better Spanish silent film made at such late time, only proves the scarce interest or merits of early silent Spanish silent film productions; most of them full of tearful film serial-like folk and picturesqueness in which, obviously, avant-garde experiments had no place.
Herr Florián Rey had the original story of the film in his Spanish head during years but after having seeing a Russian film (an audacity, certainly), he decided to put in images from the story of a Castilian damned village. There the people must to emigrate in order to prevent hungry and misery due to the bad weather that spoils the harvest year after year.
Having in mind this communist point in the filming of "La Aldea Maldita", the longhaired might think that Soviet silent influences can be seen in the film. It's more evident in the story and concept itself, certainly, but for this German Count there is even more obviously the influence of German Expressionism. This occurs in the atmosphere, darkness and stylistic merits that made this film a remarkable one.. (There is even a scene that copied a shot from Herr Murnau's "Nosferatu" in where a shadow-hand grasps the heroine's heart.) Even the religious themes, so usual in almost every Spanish silent production, fits perfectly in a story in where codes of honour, traditions and respect must prevail among earthly subjects. The result is an oeuvre full of beautiful and at the same time sombre shots in where desperation prevails with no future and hopeless pervades the scenery as well as the main characters of this excellent film.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must to return to Deutschland.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
