The Cheat (1915)
In the National Film Registry
•
58m
Edith, a spendthrift socialite, embezzles charity funds to fuel her lavish lifestyle.
In The Cheat (1915), Cecil B. DeMille, utilizes innovative camerawork to heighten the drama. Extreme close-ups magnify emotions on the actors' faces, particularly the captivating performances of Fannie Ward and Sessue Hayakawa.
DeMille also employs innovative iris shots, circles that expand and contract to draw focus to specific elements within the frame, creating a sense of heightened tension and moral ambiguity.
The Cheat tackles controversial themes for its time. The film portrays a sympathetic portrayal of a villain, Hayakawa's character, and explores the social consequences of a woman's transgression. This frankness challenged societal norms and paved the way for more nuanced explorations of human nature in film.
While The Cheat doesn't fully abandon traditional narrative structures, its experimentation with camerawork, thematic boldness, and influence on future filmmakers solidify its place as a significant step towards a more expressive and daring cinematic language.
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