Speaker A
As he did every day, the painter Percy was absorbed in reading his favorite tale.
A silent film depicting the tragic tale of Genuine, a priestess enslaved and transformed by cruelty, and the painter Percy entwined in her fate.
Key Takeaways
- The film portrays the psychological and emotional impact of captivity and cruelty.
- Love and human connection have the power to bring redemption and transformation.
- Suspicion and secrecy can lead to tragic misunderstandings and conflict.
- The silent film medium uses expressive visuals and intertitles to convey complex narratives.
- Historical and cultural elements enrich the story’s depth and atmosphere.
Summary
- Percy, a painter, becomes irritable and obsessed with a mysterious portrait of Genuine, a priestess from an old legend.
- Genuine was purchased at a slave market and forced into a cruel religion with barbaric rites.
- She is locked away by her captors and watched by suspicious characters including Guyard, the barber.
- Percy’s nephew Florian is brought in as an apprentice, intertwining the family with Genuine’s dark world.
- Suspicious activities in the house prompt complaints to the magistrate and an investigation.
- Genuine’s violent and cruel instincts surface, leading to tragic events including Percy’s apparent death.
- Love ultimately purifies Genuine, who recounts her horrific past and seeks redemption.
- The story explores themes of captivity, cruelty, love, madness, and transformation.
- The film is a silent drama rich in mystery and emotional intensity, set in a historical context.
- The narrative unfolds through visual storytelling and intertitles, typical of 1920s silent cinema.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to Percy and the Portrait
- 02:43The Portrait and the Slave Market
- 05:48Genuine’s Captivity and Cruelty
- 09:13Suspicion and the Barber Guyard
- 10:26Florian’s Apprenticeship and Investigation
- 13:22Genuine’s Violent Instincts Surface
- 20:47Love, Death, and Redemption
- 27:43Conclusion and Genuine’s Confession
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
Since he painted his last picture, Percy has become irritable. His eyes are wild; he seems to be going crazy. If his work is the cause, he must get rid of it.
Speaker A
"I heard that you painted a marvelous portrait of the heroine of an old legend. I would like to buy it."
Speaker A
"I will not sell this painting, at any price."
Speaker A
"Please come back tomorrow, sir. We will change his mind."
Speaker A
Beautiful and perverse. Genuine was purchased at a slave market by an old eccentric. Priestess of a religion made up of strange mysteries, from her childhood, she had witnessed the most cruel spectacles...
Speaker A
...to which she would later become an accomplice. Priestess of a religion made up of strange mysteries, Genuine, first of all, had a horror of cruelty...
Speaker A
War between enemy tribes caused her to be kidnapped...
Speaker A
...and end up in a slave market...
Speaker A
"This one is Genuine. She was the priestess of the defeated tribe. She is beautiful, but they perverted her. She has become fierce and barbaric...
Speaker A
Lock her up so she can't escape. Did you recognize him? It's Guyard, the barber. He comes to this house every day, at noon precisely. He doesn't say anything about what he sees there. We don't like his mysterious appearance.
Speaker A
"...there again... not a hair more... not a hair less, on the right then on the left..." Like every time he falls asleep.
Speaker A
The first of every month... ordering groceries. "Let me come up once, just once." "No, my angel, no, my beauty, up there is life and its ugliness. There everything comes to you; only here you can be completely happy." Although I have always advised you against it, I am ready today to take on my nephew Florian as an apprentice so he can come as soon as possible. Yours, Guyard.
Speaker A
"If I could climb towards free life, youth, and love." Although I have always advised you against it, I am ready today to take on my nephew Florian as an apprentice so he can come as soon as possible. Yours, Guyard.
Speaker A
"You are going to do your apprenticeship; life begins for you." "Life begins!" "In this house, suspicious things are happening. Why are we hiding like this? Let's complain to the magistrate. The barber must be questioned... he will be forced to speak."
Speaker A
It has been 70 years, as you know well, that this house has belonged to the noble Melo family. Lord Melo is an eccentric, it's true, but he is also our benefactor.
Speaker A
Pay the magistrate the sum of five thousand francs for the poor of the city. Lord Melo. Unexpected summons. You will have to appear in person tomorrow at noon sharp, for investigation purposes. The magistrate.
Speaker A
You will have to appear in person tomorrow at noon sharp, for investigation purposes. The magistrate.
Speaker A
"You see, I won't be able to be there tomorrow at noon precisely." "Couldn't my nephew Florian come in my place just once?" The next day.
Speaker A
Can I, after so many years, come see you? Great grandson. Percy Florian's first steps in life!
Speaker A
My grandson Percy announces his arrival to me; he can come... How will Genuine behave in his sight? Will she let her cruel instincts show?
Speaker A
Let him wait... The staircase... I found the way. "The Negro is coming, quickly get the ring! Rip it off! Show it to him and he will obey you..." "Genuine, my love!" "Kill yourself, kill yourself!... as in the sacrifices of old... What a beautiful proof of love..."
Speaker A
Kill him! And bring me... the proof. Go away. Genuine. She wants to see the proof.
Speaker A
Genuine! Genuine! When did my grandfather die and how? He died! "Is he sleeping?" Desire begins to cast its irresistible spell again.
Speaker A
"Who are you?" "I am Genuine!" "You are beautiful, Genuine!" My dear friend Curzon, I am happy. Come join me. I need to talk about my happiness. Come and bring the richest woman's ornaments you can find.
Speaker A
"Ask me what you want that is bigger, more beautiful, more heroic; so that I can prove to you the extent of my love." "I am a murderer... a murderer!" "This house is damned... my nephew... in his fever speaks of murder!" "Henry, I'm going crazy, this woman wants me dead!"
Speaker A
Percy is dead. "Dead!" "I lied, Percy still lives." "No, you have to live... because I love you!" "This evening we will leave, we will leave this abominable house." Purified by love, Genuine recounted her past, the horror of which she suddenly understood.
Topics:silent film1920s cinemaGenuinepriestessslave marketportrait paintingcrueltyredemptionlove storymystery
