SUMURUN



1920, 103'. Silent with English intertitles.

DIRECTION:
Ernst Lubitsch
SCRIPT:
Hans Kraly and Ernst Lubitsch based on the book by Richard Reiss adapted to screen from the pantomime of Fredrich Fresca and Victor Hollander
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Theodor Sparkuhl
PRODUCTION DESIGN:
Kurt Richter and Arno Metzner
COSTUMES:
Ali Hubert
PRODUCER:
Paul Davidson
PRODUCED BY:
Decla-Bioscop/UFA

Cast: Pola Negri (Yannaia, a Dancer) Ernst Lubitsch Yegger, the Hunchback Beggar), Paul Wegener (Grand Sheik), Jenny Hasselqvist (Sumurun), Harry Liedtke (Nur-Al Din, a Merchant)

A complex soap opera love story. Yannaia is a dancer and Yeggar, a lute-playing hunchback belong to a troup of traveling minstrels. Yegger is insanely jealous of anyone of the male persuasion who pasy attention to Yannaia, even though she always ignores him. Meanwhile, the Grand Sheik has caught Sumurun, the favorite girl of his gigantic harem, making eyes with someone. The person she is in love with is a wealthy textile merchant Nur-Al Din, who is likewise smitten by her. Just as the Grand Sheik has his dagger raised and is about to kill Sumurun for her unfaithfullness, one of the eunuchs announces that there's word of a beautiful new dancing girl that would be a wonderful addition to the harem. Sumurun's execution is postponed. When Sheik spots Yannaia in a dance, he immediately adds her to his harem. His son however has sights on her as well, and they fall for each other. And amongst all this Yannaia falls for the merchant too, but the situation goes unrequited because of his love, in turn, for Sumurun. The colorful and fast-paced plot unfolds...

Tuesday , November 13, 2007 at 8:00 pm. (PORTAGE THEATRE)