"La Glace À Trois Faces" (1927) By Jean Epstein

[Ferdinand Von Galitzien]

“La Glace À Trois Faces” ( The Three-Sided Mirror ) (1927) demonstrates the experimental aspect of Herr Jean Epstein's silent period. It is full of bold and innovative editing and unusual film narrative. Epstein was certainly not the only director to tell a story from the viewpoints of different characters but he makes the concept visually exciting. In this film there are three different women: a sophisticated lady, Frau Pearl (Frau Olga Day), a dilettante sculptress, Frau Athalia Roubinowitch (Frau Suzy Pierson) and a commoner girl, Frau Lucie (Frau Jeanne Helbling). They each tell of their love affair with the same man (Herr Rene Ferte).

The film is divided into three episodes, each very stylized. The object of the affections of these three ladies is a young businessman who is indifferent to the despair his heartlessness causes each of his lovers. He ends each affair abruptly and with simple excuses, rushing off in his racing car.

Visually powerful, “La Glace Á Trois Faces” carefully depicts each setting and the editing is frenzied and brilliant in the outdoor sequences (especially when the man flees from his lovers). There are suggestive and subtle consecutive close-ups which depict the troubled relationship of the three women and their nonchalant lover. There's also a bit of classicism in this very original film.

“La Glace À Trois Faces” is an exercise in film style, a unique work that certainly will leave no one indifferent and will especially delight audiences that appreciate original film experimentation.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must ride at full gallop from his boring responsibilities.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien
http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com" target="_blank

[Brooksie]

Sounds like a good one, Count. Definitely one I've added to my list of films to find.

[Jonathan]

It's included in Kino's first Avant-Garde set - though possibly elsewhere too.