Continuing the grand tradition of early ethnographic films Dragus takes a slightly different tack than the usual 'naked savages' plot line that its contemporaries were using, instead focusing on the native peasant culture of rural Romania between the World Wars - although they did manage to sneak in a distant bather to cement the link. Co-directed by Paul Sterian and Nicolae Argintescu the film chronicles a rather large and ongoing sociological study by Professor Dimitrie Gusti of small Romanian villages, this time centered on Dragusul and it attempts to document the day to day lives of the denizens as well as their ceremonies and traditions.
The similarities with other films of this type continue with the invasion of the natives by a swarm of city dwellers intent on studying them whether they want it or not. It is fascinating for its capture of a culture that has disappeared at what was probably the end of its life. Occupations are shown, two weddings are filmed (including dowry rituals which are fascinating), and time is even taken to grant ol' Professor Gusti honorary citizenship. By no means is this cinematically groundbreaking but if you have any interest in this culture or the time it is worth checking out as I suspect moving pictures from this era and place are few and far between.
The similarities with other films of this type continue with the invasion of the natives by a swarm of city dwellers intent on studying them whether they want it or not. It is fascinating for its capture of a culture that has disappeared at what was probably the end of its life. Occupations are shown, two weddings are filmed (including dowry rituals which are fascinating), and time is even taken to grant ol' Professor Gusti honorary citizenship. By no means is this cinematically groundbreaking but if you have any interest in this culture or the time it is worth checking out as I suspect moving pictures from this era and place are few and far between.
