DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1920 Vision of Joseph Levering
The brilliance of Husbands and Wives (1920) is inseparable from a monumental shift in Drama filmmaking spearheaded by Joseph Levering. Occupying a unique space between Drama and pure art, it serves as a blueprint for future generations of Drama directors.
In Husbands and Wives, Joseph Levering 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.
| Cinematography | Static |
| Soundtrack | Diegetic |
| Editing | Elliptical |
| Art Direction | Expressionist |
Visualizing the convergence of Joseph Levering's style and the core Drama narrative.
While visiting Atlanta, pampered Northern heiress Olive Thurston meets and marries Southerner John Arms, a member of an impoverished but old aristocratic family. John attempts to force his wife to conform to Southern ideals of womanhood, resulting in many conflicts between the newlyweds, but after a brief separation, Olive and John are reunited, resolving to look for each other's virtues and forgive the faults.
Decades after its release, Husbands and Wives remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Joseph Levering's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.