DbcultAccessing Vault...
Director's Spotlight
Archivist John
Senior Editor
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1926 Vision of William K. Howard
Exploring the Drama underpinnings of Gigolo leads us to the stylistic boundaries pushed by William K. Howard during the production. Through a lens of existential fatalism and Drama tropes, it continues to spark endless debates among critics and cinephiles alike.
In Gigolo, William K. Howard 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.
The visual language of Gigolo is defined by its use of shadows and framing, a hallmark of William K. Howard's style. By utilizing a 1926-era palette, the film creates an immersive experience that perfectly complements its Drama themes.
| Cinematography | Deep Focus |
| Soundtrack | Synth-Heavy |
| Editing | Disjunctive |
| Art Direction | Baroque |
Visualizing the convergence of William K. Howard's style and the core Drama narrative.
The heir to a family business travels to Paris to try to stop his youth-obsessed mother from squandering the family fortune with her new husband, who married her for her money. After he returns from service in World War I, he finds his mother broke and abandoned by her gigolo husband. In an ironic turn of events, he winds up squiring rich old women around Paris' nightlife, becoming the kind of gigolo from which he tried to save his mother. Things take a turn for the worse when some family friends from back home turn up in Paris and see what has become of him.
Decades after its release, Gigolo remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying William K. Howard's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.