Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator

Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1919 Vision of Leander De Cordova
The thematic gravity of A Scream in the Night (1919) is rooted in the artistic risks taken by Leander De Cordova that eventually paid off. Defining a new era of United States artistic expression, it demands to be seen by anyone who cares about the art of film.
In A Scream in the Night, Leander De Cordova 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 A Scream in the Night, one must consider the cinematic climate of 1919. During this period, United States was undergoing significant artistic shifts, and Leander De Cordova was at the forefront of this cult movement, often challenging established norms.
| Cinematography | Noir-Inspired |
| Soundtrack | Orchestral |
| Editing | Slow-Burn |
| Art Direction | Brutalist |
Visualizing the convergence of Leander De Cordova's style and the core cult narrative.
A professor aims to prove the Darwinian theory correct with a wild beast brought up in the jungles. The creature, named Darwa, is taken to civilization where society accepts her as a woman and a young aristocrat falls in love with her. As the creature is not a woman, but rather the result of experimentation and only half human, the professor declares the project a success. But will it hold up to the final test when Darwa is pitted against a wild ape?
Decades after its release, A Scream in the Night remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying Leander De Cordova's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.