One Arabian Night

One Arabian Night is an exemplary silent film directed by the remarkable Ernst Lubitsch in 1920. This piece of cinematic history, also known as Sumurun, takes the audience on a journey laced with thrilling narratives of love, deception, and power dynamics in the utterly engrossing setting of the Ottoman Empire.

The film exhibits a range of profoundly diverse characters that fundamentally embody the essence of this intricate tale. Among these extraordinary characters, Wegener’s portrayal of a hunchbacked clown, Lubitsch himself as a sly cloth merchant, and Pola Negri's captivating performance as a lovably frightful dancer collectively ensure that the heart of the narrative pulsates vibrantly as it unfolds.

One Arabian Night extravagantly plays with emotions and drama to cultivate a compelling narrative. The story revolves around the occurrences in an Old Arabian setting, featuring sumptuous seraglios, bustling bazaars, and crowded courtyards that are beautifully captured in monochrome. Lubitsch's classic film brings forth the intricacies of romance, passion, greed, and power in the context of a meticulously construed, orientalist interpretation of an exotic Arabian environment.

The multi-layered story is initiated by a group of traveling entertainers arriving in the city. The exotic and entrancing dancer played by Pola Negri quickly captures the Sultan's attention, stirring a cascading series of events that encapsulate the raw essence and magnetism of forbidden passion, jealousy, and the ruthless pursuit of ambition.

Further contributing to the overall intoxicating allure of the plot is the dramatic love triangle involving the beguiling dancer, a riveting cloth-merchant, and the Sultan’s favorite wife. This complex weave of relationships riddled with intrigue and desire forms the robust core narrative of the film.

Lubitsch's role as the ambitious cloth merchant, Yeggar, is intriguing as well. His performance beautifully projects the mix of ambition, cunning, and desire that drives Yeggar, as he maneuvers his aspirations for power and his undying love for the Sultan’s favorite wife.

On the other hand, the character of the hunchback clown, played by Paul Wegener, lends the film an element of tragedy. Wegener delivers a gripping performance, ably carrying the weight of the complex narrative imbued with social conflicts and the heartrending consequences of unrequited love.

The film also extends its narrative to the Sultan's ruthless power and his endeavor to maintain the same. It highlights the Sultan's control over his consorts, the pressure on his favorite wife, and his relentless desire to possess Negri's character. This sequence of events offer potent visuals of a power-driven existence, a testament to the film's brilliant portrayal of the complex multi-dimensional characters.

The brilliant cinematography by Theodor Sparkuhl and scenic designs by Kurt Richter plays a notable role in creating the very essence of this silent film masterpiece. The stark contrast and shadows in the black and white frames eloquently speak volumes about the powerful drama unfolding on screen. The dramatic close-ups and tilted angles enhance the tension and are vital extensions of the characters' emotions.

One Arabian Night is a manifestation of Lubitsch's innovation as a filmmaker. The film stands as a testament to his capacity to weave audience-pulling narratives, which stood him in good stead in his later years. The fusion of humor, romance, tragedy and Lubitsch's knack for portraying human fallibility offers a delightful cinematic experience, even nearly a century after its creation.

The nuanced performances of the characters, the dramatic plot, and the emblematic oriental backdrop combine to make the film a memorable journey through the raw human emotions of love, desire, ambition, and betrayal.

One Arabian Night is undoubtedly a significant member of the repertoire of silent cinema, teeming with artful storytelling, exhilarating performances, and intricate character narratives. It is a film that doesn't merely focus on visual aesthetics, but places tremendous emphasis on emotional depth, making it a classic that prevails in the annals of film history.