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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: France
A Deep Dive into the 1931 Vision of Armand Denis
Peeling back the layers of Armand Denis's Kriss exposes the technical innovation that Armand Denis introduced to the Fantasy format. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to Fantasy excellence, it stands as the definitive 1931 statement on Fantasy identity.
In Kriss, Armand Denis 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.
In this work, Armand Denis explores the intersection of Fantasy and France cultural identity. The meticulous attention to detail suggests a deep-seated commitment to pushing the boundaries of the medium, ensuring that Kriss remains a relevant topic of study for Fantasy enthusiasts.
| Cinematography | Handheld |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of Armand Denis's style and the core Fantasy narrative.
The story of two young men, one a prince of royal Bali-blood and the other defined as a coolie, and they are both in love with Dasnee, a slave girl possessing the sensuous charms for which the women of Bali are known to have. The prince marries a girl of his caste and the coolie marries Dasnee, but the prince still loves Dasnee. So, with the aid of his sister---nice family---they give Desnee, while her husband is off elsewhere, a hearty dose of goona-goona and the prince spends the night having his way with Desnee. He goes home to the palace but leaves his sacred sword, known far and wide as 'Kris,' in the bed. When the husband comes home he knows who has been sleeping in and left his sacred sword in his bed. The husband sets out to right this wrong in the manner of his ancestors.
Decades after its release, Kriss remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Armand Denis's status as a master of the craft in France and beyond.