Where was Carl Theodor Dreyer born?

Carltheodordreyer (1February 3, 889-1March 20, 968), a Danish film director, was born in Copenhagen. One of the founders of Danish art films. He directed 23 films in his life. Most of them are silent films, and the last four are audio films. His play was made into 49 films.

Chinese name: Carl Theodor Dreyer.

CarlTheodorDreyer

Nationality: Denmark

Place of birth: Copenhagen

Date of birth: 1889 February 3rd.

Date of death:1March 20, 968

Occupation: Director

Major achievements: considered as one of the greatest directors in history.

Masterpieces: The Suffering of Joan of Arc, Vampire and Commitment.

Personal life

Dreier influenced many directors, including some famous movie master such as robert bresson, Lars von Trier and Theo Angelopoulos. 19 19 directed the first film "President", in which Dreier used montage, close-up and other artistic means. Later, the film "The Diary of Satan" was divided into four sections: the crucifixion of Christ; Inquisition in medieval Spain; The French Revolution and the Counter-revolutionary Movement in Finland. He used this film to prove that the root of injustice is political and religious paranoia. 1928 filmed The Passion of Joan of Arc in France, which is called one of the top ten best films in the world. The struggle and sacrifice of this national hero, who was tortured by the Catholic Church and the British occupation army, was shown as a symbol of the conflict between the progressive moral factors and the inhuman laws and regulations of the church and the country. The artistic characteristics of the film are rigorous conception, clear meaning, and emphasis on the modeling and inner portrayal of the role. During the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Dreier made one of his most outstanding films, Days of Anger, which tells a witchcraft case that happened in the 7th century/Kloc-0. The plot is amazing and profound. 1955, the film "The Promise" was filmed and won the Venice International Film Festival Award. This film shows a tendency to seek God and a Jesuit and a mysterious understanding of the so-called "miracle".

Creative process

"The Promise" Dreier's work in Nordisk Company covers a wide range, from editing, screenwriter to technical director. He benefited a lot from his work in the editorial department and later became the department director. By chance, someone asked him if he was interested in directing a film. Dreier readily accepted, and he adapted KarlEmilFranzos' novel into an ancient melodrama, The Chief Justice.

Dreier attracted the attention of Xingye Studio with his seventh feature film "MasteroftheHouse", which was released in France on 1925 and achieved great success. Master Xing signed a generous contract with Dreier, promising that he could make movies independently at will. Dreier has several historical themes to choose from, including the stories of the famous French Empress Medici and Marie Antoinette, but Dreier finally chose Joan of Arc, which was restored by the Roman Catholic Church several years ago.

Delayes, who pursues perfection, is very strict about every detail. He delved into the pile of old documents and the knowledge of medieval history. The design of props, costumes and scenes used in movies is a long process. The artist of the crew is HermannWarm, who is famous for the expressionist film The Caneto of Dr. Caliga and Worm are Joan of Arc. The external wall is solid and thick, which needs to support many lighting equipment and staff. The inner wall is installed on the track and can move flexibly. Joan of Arc finally cost nearly 6.5438+million francs, making it one of the most expensive movies in France at that time.

Dreier used bold techniques in the film, the most famous of which was a large number of close-ups of Joan's face. The director later stated his fascination with faces and thought that the film needed endless exploration of faces. In addition, it is worth mentioning that the extremely exaggerated shooting angle and ultra-fast editing, the average shot is only 4 seconds, far exceeding the average level of that era. These special technical treatments externalize Joan's psychological evolution from hesitation and fear to generosity and hardship, which makes people feel as if they can touch the heroine's real soul.

However, various factors caused the box office failure of Joan of Arc. Although in fact, Dreier doesn't want to spend millions of francs to make a so-called "art film", it is positioned as an art film with high and low music distribution. From a commercial point of view, it is a wrong investment to spend a lot of money on silent films at the end of the silent film era (Hollywood had not invented sound technology when the film started shooting). Although the newly born audio film is still very immature, it has aroused the interest of all audiences at once, and the decline of silent films is an irresistible trend. In addition, some critics clamored that Danes could not film French national heroes, and finally Joan of Arc's box office income was very bleak.

Master Xing's studio suffered the failures of Napoleon and Joan of Arc at the same time, so it was impossible to continue just after finishing a film in Derel.

Surrealism was popular in France in the late 1920s and influenced Dreier in the following years. Such films are often under the banner of artistic exploration, and it is difficult to recover investment from the market. Therefore, creators need to raise their own funds, such as jean cocteau and rene claire, who are supported by aristocratic families. Dreier found a nobleman who loved movies, Baron Nicolas de Ganci, and invested a small sum of money to shoot Vampire with surreal color.

Various vampire stories have been circulating in Europe for hundreds of years. Derel's films are mainly based on the novel Camilla by writer sheridan Lefano. In order to change Joan of Arc's style of "failure" and avoid being ridiculed as "director of saints", Dreier completely abandoned the passionate style of big close-ups and quick editing in Vampire, preferring flowing long shots, and the mood of the whole film became calm and alienated.

The investor Baron Ganci also plays the leading role, and most of the other actors are amateurs. Like Joan of Arc, filming continued for another whole year. Nominally, this is Derel's first talking film-in fact, except for a few inarticulate dialogues in a few places, it is still a silent film. Since the film was invested by Germany and shot in France, it must be shot in three languages, English, German and French, in order to take care of all parties. It is impossible to find so many actors who can master these three languages at the same time, so this is one of the reasons for talking as little as possible. Vampires, of course, is a late dubbing. Once there is a scene where an actor speaks, it will be filmed three times in the same way in order to simulate the mouth shape of three languages.

From Joan of Arc to vampires, Rudolph Mette always took the mirror for Dreier. "Vampire" still adopts the indoor drama form that Dreier is good at most of the time, and a small number of exterior scenes are shot under the fog in the early morning, which brings a particularly hazy and gloomy effect to the picture and blurs the boundary between reality and dreams. At the beginning of the film, Allen Gray, who likes to explore mysterious culture, wandered around and stayed in a hotel. This group of shots was also the earliest, but the photographer Matt's mistake in lighting made the film history a story. When watching the demonstration, Dreier found that the gray tone of this scene was the ideal state he was pursuing. Arguably, under normal circumstances, it is impossible to produce this effect. He and Matt decided to make a mistake by hanging a lamp with black gauze above the camera lens every time, so they filmed the whole time. It's really "self-defeating."

The most amazing passage in the film is the description of the protagonist's nightmare. It can be said that Dreier took the concept of film to a new height.

Chronology of works

Enter the film industry

19 12 once worked for Nordic Film Company in Copenhagen, and worked as a subtitle writer, editor and screenwriter.

19 19 began to be a film director, and his first feature film, ThePresident, used montage techniques and close-ups.

make one's name

192 1 year, his film The Diary of Satan was controversial. He said that "the root of injustice is political and religious paranoia". Many people think that this film distorts the French bourgeois revolution and the Finnish workers' revolution in 19 18.

Owner (1925). This film is Derel's seventh feature film and has been a great success in French. It caught the attention of Socié té Gé né rale de Films, which signed a generous contract with Dreier, promising that he could make films independently at will. Dreier finally decided to shoot the story of Joan of Arc.

1927, completed by passion of JoanofArc. Known as one of the top ten best films in the world, this film occupies a certain position in the history of world movies, and has made new explorations in content and director's photography technology.

Stay away from movies

1932, Baron JulianWest, a movie-loving aristocrat, invested a small sum of money in Derel's surrealist film Vampyr-dertraumdesalangrey, but it turned out that Vampyr-dertraumdesalangrey was the heaviest blow in Derel's film career. He suffers from severe neurasthenia and can't find any investors in Europe. Dreier returned to Denmark in frustration. Since then, he has given up his film career of 10 years.

mature period

1943 Angry Days (when the Nazis occupied Denmark), Dreier returned to the film industry and filmed the most famous feature film Angry Days in Denmark at that time. Its plot is amazing and contains profound meaning. The script is adapted from H.W. Johnson's novel and based on the legend of a banshee case in Norway in the17th century.

1955 "The Promise" Ordet, the script is adapted from the drama of Danish writer K. Monk, and this film won the Venice International Film Festival Award.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Dreier also made important contributions to the development of Danish documentaries. His documentaries include Supporting Mother (1942), Danish Country Church (1947), Thorvaldsen (l949), Stolstrom Bridge (1950) and Castle in Castle (65438).

Gertrude (1964), Gertrude's last film. Won the International Film Critics Award of Venice Film Festival.

trait

Ge Chu's Philosophical Thought

Derel's films showed a unique philosopher temperament in the 1920s. He regards movies as a tool to think about his life. His films are full of religious consciousness and philosophical thinking. He believes in God, but opposes dogmatic religion. Most of his films analyze people's confusion about religious beliefs and personal desires. His films are detached and reflect his simple humanistic spirit. Before the fifties and sixties, there were not many ideological films like Dreier.

theme

He prefers mysticism, human psychological world and ethical issues.

Film language

Derel's creation shows that he has profound film professionalism and is good at combining various artistic elements into a unified whole. In order to fully reveal the inner world of the characters, he used expressive close-ups (especially in silent movies) and associative montages. Derel's later creation, with stable lens and introverted style, makes him look quiet and lonely.

Anti-business

Derel's films are almost demanding of pure images, and he is famous for his Excellence, which leads him to postpone shooting time again and again, which inevitably leads to the contradiction between him and the producers who want to make money. His movie box office is always depressed. Dreier is a master who violates the so-called spirit of the times, a rebel and a martyr.

picture

The scenery of Derel's films is very elegant; For example, he likes to fully show the beauty of nature when shooting real scenes. In his lens, every grass and tree is full of vitality; In terms of indoor scenery, Dreier attaches great importance to lighting, and people, especially the light on his face, are as beautiful as sculptures.

Comments on outstanding works

The trial of Joan of Arc

lapassionjeanned ' arc( 1928)

Classic: The story of Joan of Arc, a French national heroine, has been put on the screen many times since the birth of the film. France, the United States, Italy, Germany, Russia, Argentina and even Japan all filmed Joan of Arc's feature films in the early days of the film. However, in terms of artistic originality and contribution to the history of film art, no one can compare with this film, which has unique aesthetic value and style characteristics in the history of film. The whole film gives people a strong shock and visual impact, while the music mainly focuses on mass and hymns, expressing the theme of compassion and redemption. The film combines the narrative styles of expressionism and mysticism, and highlights the opposition and irreconcilability of the two sides' positions with a large number of distinctive characters.

Features: In the screening time of 1 10 minutes, there are almost all close-ups and large close-ups, and the facial expressions of the characters are described in detail to the extreme. Director Derel's explanation is that human facial expression is the window to reveal the inner world of characters. Indeed, the in-depth exploration of the soul world of the characters casts a sacred religious color on the film and exudes unique artistic charm. This kind of creative practice of this film is unprecedented and unparalleled. Some film critics call it "the film with the highest density of human soul in the history of film", which is not unreasonable.

Humanism: Special technical treatment externalizes Joan's psychological evolution from hesitation and fear to generosity and hardship, which makes people feel as if they can touch the real soul of the heroine. Use Joan of Arc as a "person" instead of a "hero" to make a real performance. Here, Joan of Arc has a firm belief, as well as hesitation and struggle; She had cowardice and retreat, but she finally chose to embrace death. Such an objective evaluation of a hero makes the film shine with dazzling human light.

About this version: This film premiered at PaladsTeatret Theatre in Copenhagen on April 2 1. According to CharlesTesson, this is the only complete version to be shown to the public. In Paris, although there were some small-scale screening activities, it was not until June 25th of 10 that people were able to enjoy the film in CinemaMaricaux because of nationalist protests. The French are skeptical about this film because people don't believe that a foreign non-Christian director can really show people the secrets of Joan of Arc. Besides, Dreier used an American movie star. Although the production of the film can't be stopped, the Pope of the Catholic Church has made some abridgements, and the government censorship system has changed it beyond recognition. These changes were not approved by Derel. These changes are "so serious that the audience can only see an annoying Christian propaganda film, in which Rouen is tied to the stake and burned to death, which is even uglier." 1928 12.6 A fire destroyed the original film of The Trial of Joan of Arc, leaving only some remaining copies. Dreier was almost destroyed by this disaster. However, Dreier came up with a method, though not perfect. Pursuing perfectionism, he has always been famous for forcing actors to remake. As a result, Dreier miraculously remake a brand-new version. Dreier compared an old copy with the editor MargueriteBeauge, making this new negative almost identical to every shot of the original, and in many places identical. Nevertheless, Dreier is inevitably disappointed. However, soon, the negative people suffered the same fate. 1929, in the laboratory of G.M. de boulogne-Biranco, another fire made this negative disappear. As time goes by, there are fewer and fewer copies of the first edition, and the second edition is even less. One of the greatest masterpieces in the silent film era seems doomed to failure. 195 1 year, the French film historian Loduca found an extremely well-preserved negative on the roof of the studio in Gaumont, which was later recognized as the second version shot by Dreier. It turns out that this film was not swallowed up by the fire of 1929. Unfortunately, Duka did a lot of self-righteous editing on the master tape. This version of Duka has been circulated for many years, and it has also been angrily accused by Dreier. ArnieKrogh of the Danish Film Academy took over and produced a "best guess" version from all existing versions. He mainly used a copy of the second edition shipped from the Netherlands and a version of the National Film Archive in London. The copy of the London edition is nearly 190 fewer shots and a lot of subtitles than the original edition. Nevertheless, this version hides some scenes that have never been found in other versions. Whether these shots were original or not, no one could answer at that time. Thirty years later, in 198 1 year, a worker accidentally found some film boxes in a psychiatric clinic called KikemarkSykehus on the outskirts of Oslo, Norway. They were sent to the Norwegian Film Academy, where they were neglected for three years. It was not until they opened it that they found that there was not only the original "The Trial of Joan of Arc", but also the seal and date stamped by the Danish examiner on the intact paper: 1928. This seal indicates that the copy has not been changed. In other words, this is a completely preserved original without any modification. This version was sent directly to Copenhagen, and the Danish censorship board did not ask for any changes to the film.

Production: Dreier, who pursues perfection, is very strict about every detail. He delved into the history of the Middle Ages. Props used in movies, costume design and scene construction are all a long process. The artist of the crew is HermannWarm, who is famous for the expressionist film The Cabinet of Dr. Caliga. Worm is Joan of Arc. Photographer RudolphMaté took a shocking and classic photo under the bad photographic conditions of that year. Strong modeling contrast shows the image of the characters and their direction. The solemn scene represents a sense of religion and destiny. The lighting of the whole movie is full of artistic perfection and modeling perfection, just like the portrait oil painting of the classical school, which vividly reflects the personality of the characters.

Box Office: Various factors caused the box office failure of The Passion of Joan of Arc. The contracting company unilaterally terminated the contract with Dreier.

Unexpectedly: Antonin Alto AntoninArtaud, a world drama master and a representative of "cruel drama", plays a monk who sympathizes with Joan of Arc in the film. This may be the only movie image that we can see the master style.

vampire

vampyr-dertraumdesalangrey( 1932)

The legend of vampires has been circulating in the West for a long time. Dreier is mainly adapted from the novel Camilla by writer sheridan Lefano.

Baron JulianWest, the investor, also starred, and most of the other actors were amateurs. In order to change the commercial failure of Joan of Arc and avoid being ridiculed as "Director of Saints", Dreier completely subverts himself as a vampire. He completely gave up the strong style of big close-ups and quick editing, preferring flowing long shots, and the mood of the whole film became calm and alienated. Like Joan of Arc, the shooting lasted a whole year. It also suffered a commercial failure, but many years later, this film was hailed as one of the best horror films in film history.

Days of Wrath

Vredensdag( 1943)

Derel's 43-year-old works of different colors are considered to be the best works in Dreier after Joan of Arc's trial, with fatalism and extremely delicate characterization.

It took five years for this film to be released in America, because it contained incest and medieval burning.

promise

Ordet( 1955)

Derel's personal interpretation of religion and trust is classic and beautiful. Based on Kaki Munk's play.

The film won the Golden Lion Award 1955 in Venice Film Festival, the Bodil Award 1955 in Copenhagen, the Golden Globe Award 1956 and the National Review Board Award 1957.

The Promise is a masterpiece of Derel's style, and it is also the "most harmonious film" in his mind. It has far-reaching influence in the world, including many famous directors, such as An Zhe Ropoulos and Truffaut. An Zhe Lopoulos said that after reading Derel's The Promise, he was excited for three days, as if he was ill, but he was very happy. It's like listening to Vivaldi's double mandolin concerto for the first time. He lamented how there could be such a perfect thing in the world.

Guy Tilda

Gertrude (1964)

This is Delaire's last work. At that time, he was 75 years old. The style of this film is quiet and detached. The film discusses the survival of women, and the ending is unexpected because of pessimistic fatalism.

Was rejected by the premiere audience. 1965 won the International Film Critics Award of Venice Film Festival.

Most films use a long lens in the middle to avoid moving and location as much as possible.

Chronology of works

Gertrude/Gertrude (1964)

Orders/Words/Commitments (1955)

denederfrgen/theycaughtheferry( 1948)

Kampenmodkrften/The StruggleGainstcaster/Anti-cancer (1947)

Vredensdag/ Revenge Day (1943)

Mdrehjlpen/ Good Mother/Wife and Mother (1942)

Vampires (1932)

Joan of Arc/Joan of Arc's Passion (Silent Movie) (1928)

Duskalledinhurtu/ owner of the house/head of the family (1925)

diegezeichenten/loveonenorth/Elsker HverAndre/Tagger( 1922)

Dervarengang/OnceUponaTime/ lost time (1922)

Bladefsatansbog/leaves fromstan's Book/Satan's Diary (192 1)

President (19 19)

Personality assessment

Carl Theodor Dreyer, Bridson, who created the holy land of images, and Yasujirō Ozu, who realized the Zen scene of movies, constructed a unique style in the history of movies-transcendental image style. (Jiangnan Times Review)

As a director, Dreier Karl T-Bag is more like a lonely missionary, firmly continuing his artistic ideas and silently spreading Danish art films to the world. (Time Network Review)