Der Steckbrief
- 1913
- 39m
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Unknown director Franz Hofer has been subject of interest in recent studies of early German cinema. Der Steckbrief is the first film of his I recently saw, and I was surprised.
Judging from this film Hofer is certainly not a neglected master - he could not overcome the weakness of the script - but he proves to be an imaginative director who is in control of image and pace. This film is not as slow as early German cinema is reputed for having been. Hofer uses props and sets for framing (thus avoiding a theatrical image) and quite frequently uses against-the-light shooting for appropriate effects within the story. On the other hand: the film quite abruptly changes mood with a chase scene on a fair. But, the scene is well done with traveling and panning camera (the camera rises as the merry-go-round turns), though the whole scene is too long. In short: for those interested in the historical aspect of cinema, surely an interesting director.
The femme fatale has always been a part of cinema and she is in this film too. Here she is played with much fun by an uncredited actress, who brazenly rolls her eyes, sighs and spread her arms out to the man she wants (with no good intention, of course). Ah, well, not much has changed in cinema since then.
Judging from this film Hofer is certainly not a neglected master - he could not overcome the weakness of the script - but he proves to be an imaginative director who is in control of image and pace. This film is not as slow as early German cinema is reputed for having been. Hofer uses props and sets for framing (thus avoiding a theatrical image) and quite frequently uses against-the-light shooting for appropriate effects within the story. On the other hand: the film quite abruptly changes mood with a chase scene on a fair. But, the scene is well done with traveling and panning camera (the camera rises as the merry-go-round turns), though the whole scene is too long. In short: for those interested in the historical aspect of cinema, surely an interesting director.
The femme fatale has always been a part of cinema and she is in this film too. Here she is played with much fun by an uncredited actress, who brazenly rolls her eyes, sighs and spread her arms out to the man she wants (with no good intention, of course). Ah, well, not much has changed in cinema since then.
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- J. Steed
- Apr 9, 1999
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- Runtime39 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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