The sculptor Herr Mariotti is working in his studio with his lover and model, and also having an affair with Frau Elena, Prince Mierbo's wife. In Herr Mariotti's studio there is a sculpture of a faun, that mythological creature that represents the first and pure love. One night, when Mariotti leaves his "piccola amica" alone in the studio to go have fun with his other lover as well as playing cards in a den of bourgeoisie vice, the faun comes to life. Soon, thanks to his charms and philosophical thoughts ( after all that's his speciality; that is to say, playing tricks and chasing lovely maidens
), that mythological creature -half man half goat- will fascinate Herr Mariotti's model who will fall in love with him/it and will run away with him/it to his particular kingdom. Frau Elena is also interested in the amorous creature and Herr Mariotti's gambling debts are also part of the plot.
"Il Fauno" (1917) is a very odd silent film even for a German count who has watched a lot of strange silents since the cinema were invented. Italian film directors of that time had a strong interest in the Arts and that is demonstrated in a rather eccentric way in "Il Fauno", a peculiar mixture of the "fantastique" and romanticism.
The film is introduced by the director, Herr Febo Mari himself (who also plays the faun in the film) in a theatrical way with a kind of preface wherein the director explains his artistic aims to the audience before the curtain is up. The director thus sets forth his intentions which include a great deal of symbolism, the various characters representing different virtues or weaknesses. Theatrical it may be but it is also very cinematic and uses techniques that were new in the 10's of the last century.
Herr Mari uses the fantastic and mythological elements together with symbolism and philosophy, in a very clever and entertaining way, sometimes naïf certainly but not at all pedantic. "Il Fauno" is also an interesting portrait of the decadent Italian bourgeoisie who were not very different from their other European counterparts. Obviously the most bizarre and original part of the film is the fantastic one when the satire comes to life and enthralled Herr Mariotti's model. It is certainly a strange love affair but at its heart not so different from a fully human love encounter because, as the faun explains to the young girl, every man has a heart like a faun. The film has a mystical oneiric atmosphere that combines the real and the unreal and modernity with classicism. What makes the film even more enjoyable is that it has recently been restored complete with the original tints that highlight Herr Febo Mari's artistic intentions
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because one of his fat Teutonic heiresses is getting this German Count's goat.
