Frau Irène de Rysbergue ( Frau Maria Jacobini ) is a middle aged but cheerful woman who lives an easy and comfortably bourgeoisie life together with her husband the Baron of Rysbergue ( Herr Jean Dax ) and their two sons.
One day during a masked ball, Frau Irène meets accidentally a young and attractive man, Herr Georges de Chambry ( Herr Franz Lederer ) who desperately falls in love with her; it turns out Herr Georges is an old friend of Frau Irène's eldest son... The passionate relationship soon causes problems for Frau Irène who finally will decide to leave behind her luxury bourgeoisie life, living then a completely new life together with her lover in Algeria. Of course she must deal with continuous mistaken situations that arise with people not understanding their relationship because of their age difference. Further complications develop when a young woman Miss Dickson ( Frau Lya Lys ) appears in the vicinity.
"Maman Colibri" ( Mother Hummingbird ) (1929) is one of the last silent films directed by the great French film director Herr Julien Duvivier before his long talkie career; it's a very interesting oeuvre wherein the director's artistry is shown at its best.
For example, the use of technical and special effects ( double exposures, zoom, continuous travelling shots ) and vivid camera work, especially the effective use of close-ups, creates the perfect mood for the film, capturing the differences between middle class life in a metropolis and exotic Algeria.
The couple must cope with many prejudices against their relationship. Frau Irène realizes that her love for Herr Georges will destroy her family and the easy life of luxury and comfort she enjoys, all of which she sacrifices to be with her in young lover with no strings attached. Their new life in Algeria to which Herr Georges is assigned due to his military work, is so radically different from the old one. Herr Duvivier illustrates this new situation with many local images and deferment's of this European colony. Of course then trouble appears, namely Miss Dickson... This marks the end of the love between the older mature woman and the young man. Their two years of passion end bitterly and Frau Irène returns to France.
Herr Duvivier handles the story in an elegant and idealized way leaving the morals and patronizing to Frau Irène's husband and eldest son. He depicts a love that is pure and heedless of age differences and social conventions. Frau Irène returns to her old life but will never forget what she had with her young lover or regret that episode in her life. The film ends with a poignant shot of Frau Irène watching her little grandson.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count has an appointment with a Teutonic rich heiress older than him.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
