For this German count, Herr Evgenii Bauer was the most talented, skillful and resourceful early Russian silent director of the pre-revolutionary time. His films were full of style and elegance and very accomplished in their technical aspects especially considering the primitive cinematographic elements that were the norm in that early era.
"Deti Veka" ( Children Of The Age ) (1915) although is not one of Herr Bauer's greatest works has many assets that deserve attention, especially as so few of his films have survived to these modernen times.
The picture tells the story of Frau Maria ( Frau Vera Kholodnaia ), a devoted wife of a bank employee. The couple has a cozy life; they have a baby but he is cared for by their maid so Frau Maria can spend her time doing terrific things like going shopping. During one of these consumer afternoons Frau Maria meets by chance an old friend, Frau Lidia, who will introduce her to exclusive idle social circles. Soon Frau Maria's beauty attracts the interest of Herr Lebedev, a rich old libertine. From that point on Frau Maria suffers continual sexual harassment (worthy of inclusion of any silent film encyclopedia article on beleaguered heroines) which she resists for a time. In the end however she falls into his bourgeois claws.
Herr Bauer smoothly maintains the pace of this sad drama and the Russian sets work very well ( Herr Bauer entered films as set designer ). We see Maria's peaceful life in her apartment with her husband and child contrasted with the luxurious settings Herr Lebedev uses to gain Maria's favour. The film narrative has a very modern flavor. There is also subtle criticism of the upper classes: Herr Lebedev uses his influence to get the husband fired from the bank and then offers him money to leave Maria and their child. This leads to a tragic denouement. Indeed the husband is the proper hero of the film and he suffers in bewilderment to see his peaceful life shattered to pieces and with it the loss of his family and job.
In technical aspects, the film includes light camera movements and editing that while not very astounding are quite effective in advancing the story; this is typical of Herr Bauer's well known elegance.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must leave one rich heiress behind and move on to another one.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com
