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by Various Authors
grade: 7
The short documentary Salzburg um 1920 is a little gem of Austrian film history, but also an important document that offers a glimpse into life at that time. Restored by Filmarchiv Austria and presented on the Filmarchiv On channel.
In the city of Mozart
Salzburg, as we know, is one of the most picturesque cities in Austria. For this reason, but also because it is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, for its legendary festival and for the stunning natural landscapes that surround it, the capital of the Salzburg region remains one of the favourite destinations for many tourists, not only from Austria but also from abroad. It is therefore no surprise that the film industry, ever since cinema began to take hold in Austria, has taken an immediate interest in the city. In this regard, the short documentary Salzburg um 1920 is particularly noteworthy. It is part of the wider project Völkerbund-Film Städteansichten Salzburg, Bad Ischl, Wien, Linz, Bad Gastein, Zell am See in den 1920-er Jahren, and has recently been restored by Filmarchiv Austria and presented on the Filmarchiv On channel.
And so, this Salzburg um 1920 opens immediately with a captivating panoramic shot that, through slow camera movements, shows us the city from above in all its splendour. Then, after a few seconds, we finally find ourselves in the city centre. The wide, elegant streets are full of people going about their daily business. Palaces, castles, parks and even Mozart’s childhood home make what we see on the movie screen all the more majestic. And when we also see an old tram slowly making its way through the old town, whilst a horse-drawn carriage passes by, we too feel as though we are part of that bygone era. But after a long stroll through the city streets, it’s time for a short excursion. It’s very easy to reach Mount Gaisberg by funicular (which opened on 25 May 1887). And from there, the view is truly breathtaking.
When Salzburg um 1920 was made, therefore, it was very common to produce these short documentaries highlighting the nation’s treasures, in order to convey to the world the image of an Austria where prosperity was practically commonplace. Let us not forget, in fact, that the film was made in 1920 itself – just two years after the end of World War I – when the consequences of that difficult period were still evident, but when, at the same time, life was slowly returning to a certain normality.
In observing, therefore, the city’s various streets and the marvellous natural landscapes, we realise how a simple and straightforward directorial approach – whose sole technical flourish is a binocular-shaped mask placed over the camera lens whilst, at the end of the documentary, we admire the mountains in the distance – has proved to be the winning solution for conveying to the viewer the essence of the places shown here. Salzburg um 1920 is a little gem in Austrian film history, but also an important document that bears witness to life in that era. And whenever we have the opportunity to watch works of this kind, we feel particularly privileged.
Original title: Völkerbund-Film Städteansichten Salzburg, Bad Ischl, Wien, Linz, Bad Gastein, Zell am See in den 1920-er Jahren
Directed by: Various Authors
Country/year: Austria / 1920
Running time: 2’
Genre: documentary
Screenplay: Various Authors
Cinematography: Various Authors
Produced by: Various Authors