I found this to be a very interesting film. It is shot in the film equivalent of a duo-tone, 2 strip Technicolor (more specifically process 3). This basically comprises red and green filters used on initial exposure of the film. Followed by a process which creates red and green dyed frames on a single reel. On playback the red and green frames combine on the screen to create various shades and hues. One of the major drawbacks of Technicolor 2 strip is that you shouldn't compose shots which contain blue sky, as it will reproduce green! Technical aspects aside, I first saw the film at Castro theater in San Francisco with Gemelan Sekar Jaya performing a score. While this may not be the original way the film was shown it surely enhanced my experience. Gamelan are Balinese metalophone orchestras which perform on instruments with non-western tuning. The color tones add a vaguely otherworldly hue to the proceedings. At several plot turns audience members actually let out audible gasps or shrieks. Such was the enthralling effect of the film. Yes there is an element of cultural colonialism, but not nearly so bad as contemporary films I have seen in other non-western locales. The principals are Balinese, not westerners made-up to look native. The depiction is sympathetic almost anthropological not sensationalistic. It is also remarkable in that it is one of the last of the silent films. 1935 being well after the inception of talkies. The story is somewhat simplistic. I do not know if this is a conceit of the directors style as I have not seen any of his other works. However it did not impede my enjoyment.
Review of Legong: Dance of the Virgins
