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Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1916 Vision of Alice Guy
Few works in United States cinema carry the same weight as What Will People Say?, especially regarding the cultural zeitgeist captured so perfectly by Alice Guy in 1916. Utilizing a 1916-specific aesthetic that remains timeless, it serves as a blueprint for future generations of cult directors.
In What Will People Say?, Alice Guy pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
To fully appreciate What Will People Say?, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1916. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Alice Guy was at the forefront of this cult movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Noir-Inspired |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of Alice Guy's style and the core cult narrative.
Persis Cabot, daughter of a multi-millionaire meets a young officer, Harvey Forbes, coming from the Philippines and they fall in love. Owing to her father's financial reverses, it is impossible for her to marry Harvey Forbes. She contracts a marriage with Willie Enslee, whose immense fortune makes it possible for her to reinstate her father and give her all the luxuries she has been used to. The marriage is a failure. Persis meets Forbes at a reception given by the Ambassador and they both confess their love to each other. Persis discovers a liaison of her husband with a former mistress and decides that she has a right to take the love which Forbes offers her. On the first occasion of their being alone together, Willie Enslee discovers them and accuses Persis of infidelity. Forbes commands her to choose between them. Persis refuses, and Forbes leaves her in desperation. Left alone together Willie, maddened by jealousy, stabs his wife. A newspaper reporter visits the house and gains information which leads him to believe that Forbes is implicated in the attempted murder. He also visits Forbes and informs him of the fact that Persis has been stabbed by her husband. Forbes hurries back to the Enslee home and tells Persis that he will take her with him, even though she is not willing to go, as they are mated to each other. After the necessary divorce proceedings have been obtained, Persis marries Harvey Forbes.
Decades after its release, What Will People Say? remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Alice Guy's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.