Games of Youth by film pioneer Johann Schwarzer is reminiscent in every way of the early films of the Lumière brothers, when a way to set images in motion had only just been invented and simply filming reality was already something extraordinary in itself.
Kaiserbesuch in Braunau, recently restored by Filmarchiv Austria and made in 1903 by film pioneer Johann Bläser, is today the oldest Austrian film in existence.
The short film The Fisherman, made in 1907, differs slightly from the other works made by director, photographer and producer Johann Schwarzer during his brief but intense career.
This little and entertaining A Funny Story at the Window perfectly captures the essence of what film pioneer Johann Schwarzer made during his short but intense career.
The Veil Dance, like all Johann Schwarzer’s films, despite an essentially rudimentary directorial approach, is a light and entertaining work, a precious document regarding Austrian film history.
As usual, The Slave Market, running just over two minutes, is characterised by an extremely simple and rudimentary directorial approach. Thus, in this case, a single shot shows us the whole story.
Ironic, funny, pleasantly light-hearted, An Exciting Hunt manages to make even the most demanding viewer smile, and with its malice and directorial naivety gives us just under five minutes of light-heartedness.
Although cinema had been invented some thirteen years before, Austria still had to familiarise itself with this new form of artistic expression. Cameras were still very rudimentary and scene changes rarely took place. Also In the Bath, therefore, has the simplest mise en scène possible. Everything takes place in a single room and, thanks to some editing cuts to give the whole thing dynamism, the scene unfolds rather quickly.
A Modern Eve reveals a cynical but also amused approach to married life. No one is really innocent, everyone, in this little film by Johann Schwarzer, has their own little, big secrets. The director, just as with all his other works, is never judgmental, but observes his protagonists with affection and benevolence and above all wants to give the audience a few minutes of light-heartedness.
Although incomplete, Diana bathing – directed by photographer and chemist Johann Schwarzer and produced by the controversial Saturn-Film – is an important element in Austrian film history, which amuses us and can give us just two minutes of pleasant lightness.