DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1919 Vision of King Vidor
Under the meticulous guidance of King Vidor, Better Times became the complex thematic architecture established by King Vidor. Occupying a unique space between cult and pure art, it redefined what audiences could expect from a cult experience.
In Better Times, King Vidor 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 | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of King Vidor's style and the core cult narrative.
Nancy Scroggs, the daughter of the owner of a once-famous but now-struggling hotel, hatches a plan to draw in new customers. She picks up Peter Alstyne, a young man following his doctor's orders of a strict diet and a relaxing vacation, at the train station and convinces him--using the philosophy of Christian Science--to disregard his doctor's orders and stay at their hotel and eat all he wants. Soon he and Nancy fall in love and the hotel begins to pick up business again. But soon Peter receives a letter that changes everything for both him and Nancy.
Decades after its release, Better Times remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying King Vidor's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.