– And Passion Triumphs (A vášeň vítězí) – Václav Binovec (1918)

The title of the film is extremely evocative and perfectly sums up the essence of A vášeň vítězí (And Passion Triumphs). In some respects, what is surprising is that in other countries, a story and ending like this would never have been possible. Drawing on the allure of the “Parisian Apaches“, the gangsters from the slums who were all the rage across Europe, from France to Italy, Václav Binovec, from a subject and script by Hana Temná, tells us the story of Suzanne (Suzanne Marwille). Ignored completely by her banker husband (Jules René), she follows her maid Zo (Hana Jenčíková) into a seedy nightclub.

There she meets the gangster Fred (Václav Binovec), also known as the Blue Devil, who is so struck by Suzanne that he leaves Zo for her. The love between the two is intense, and in the end, the young woman is forced to make a choice: marital duty or passion? As the title suggests, it is passion that triumphs!

The cinematography is very carefully executed, with the images enhanced by small camera movements designed to follow the actors’ actions. Suzanne is undoubtedly the most interesting character in the film: she juggles various flirtations, being neglected by her husband, and ultimately makes an unconventional choice for the time by staying with the gangster Fred—who, it must be said, seems transformed from his coarse beginnings.

As for the gangster setting, we find all the classic elements typical of this genre: the dive bar, shady characters, dancing, brawls, and so forth. Believing Suzanne has deceived him, Fred even storms into her bedroom with a knife in his mouth (see screenshot), only to change his mind upon finding her in bed. She embraces him, and it becomes clear that a long night of passion has taken place. But jealousy arises: Zo, spurned by her beloved, informs the banker. After several days without seeing his wife, he finally questions the maid.

– The Fooled Comtesse Zuzana (Ošálená komtesa Zuzana)– Václav Binovec (1918)

Another short film by Binovec, once again with Suzanne Marwille as the protagonist. Here, however, the story is far more trivial, reminiscent of many contemporary German comedies.

Zuzana’s (Suzanne Marwille) family can no longer stand her pranks and orders her to leave. She goes to her uncles, where her boyfriend Alfréd (Ferenc Futurista) decides to get his revenge. Disguised as a tramp, he pretends to be injured in the street to be taken in. Once inside her uncle’s home, he asks to wash up and then reappears before the girl without his disguise. To make up for the prank, Alfréd brings Suzanne a letter from her family, asking her to return.

A trivial and rather poor comedy, without notable gags or interesting scenes. Binovec once again shows confidence in moving the camera to achieve “different” shots, but he doesn’t seem to pay much attention to close-ups. Often, parts of other actors are awkwardly cut off at the edges of the frame. In short, not exactly an exciting film…

This article was originally published in Italian on emutofu.com