Russian melodrama (single-episode) enthroned screen queen Vera Kholodnaya

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Melodrama was originally a literary and dramatic genre and was very popular with the public. When cinema arose, already at the beginning of the century, in the 1900s, the first melodramas were also filmed by the French. They brought sharp intrigue to the cinema, virtue and villainy were contrasted in them brightly, in contrast. And how beautifully the heroines of silent melodramas suffered! Dark shadows around the eyes, thin beautiful faces inspired by torment… The villains could also be immediately recognized by their unpleasant grimaces. As a result, good triumphed morally, and evil was always lucidly punished.

The silent Russian melodrama (single-episode) Life for Life, filmed in 1916 by Yevgeny Bauer, is remarkable in that Vera Kholodnaya starred in one of the main roles. This film was destined to become one of the most successful in the artistic career of the actress. After showing this particular melodrama on the screen, Vera acquired the title of queen of the screen andbecame the first star of Russian silent cinema.

Bauer was a world class director. The aforementioned Russian melodrama (single-episode) was created by him at a very high level and is in no way inferior to the tapes shot in the Scandinavian countries and in America during the same period. He made a great contribution to the creation of a special film language, his directorial style was distinguished by a special style, it had symbolism, depth and sophistication.

Russian melodrama (single-episode) about rival sisters based on the novel by French writer Georges One. The story told in the film deals with the problems of the we althy Khromov family, who own millions. The widow has two daughters: her own, charming but frivolous Musya (the magnificent Moscow Art Theater actress Lidia Koreneva) and her adopted daughter, Nata (already known, but not famous Vera Kholodnaya). Both are marriageable, in love with the gambler and reveler Prince Bartinsky, although the fair and sensible Zhurov, a successful businessman, who adores her, proposes to the beautiful Nata. He is the perfect positive character.

The silent Russian melodrama (single-episode) was distinguished by the clarity and inviolability of the roles of the characters. The presence in the script of an ideal hero, a suffering heroine and an insidious villain was mandatory.

The prince swears love to Nate, but she is unable to pay his debts and ensure a further comfortable existence. Zhurov and Bartinsky conclude a secret agreement. The merchant promises to arrange the prince's marriage to Musya, the heiress of millions, in exchange for his marriage to Nata.

Double wedding is greatBauer's key scene. This is the "heart" of the whole film, now the viewer can feel the drama of the plot. The omens are disturbing.

In the hall next to the dance floor, Nata suffers, she turns away from the groom and does not want to dance with him. Left alone, she wrings her hands, throws her head back in silent prayer, as if asking for advice and intercession from higher powers, wraps herself chillily in a veil. Nata admits Khromova's feelings for Vladimir Bartinsky and says that they are mutual, and he marries Musa for money. Mother asks her to be silent so as not to overshadow Musya's happiness. The newlywed's snow-white veil either wraps around Nata's figure, or rips and curls in the wind as a symbol of her grief and broken hope for happiness.

At the dawn of the 20th century, Russia produced melodrama films in huge quantities, they were filmed by film factories for three weeks. Faith was in demand. The images of sad lyrical heroines created by her always turned out to be victims of deceit by notorious villains. Her sincere manner of playing has always resonated in the hearts of a sentimental audience. In the film about rival sisters, Vera Kholodnaya, having no acting education, became more popular with the public and outstripped the professional actress and beauty Lidia Koreneva.

On a global scale, the lyrical genre is one of the most popular among the public, especially among its beautiful half. In the domestic box office of cinema-melodramas, Russians are also loved by viewers, they are only a little behind the leading genre - action movie.