Movie Camera Inside A Convent

Radio Record, 3 June 1938, Page 27

Movie Camera Inside A Convent

"Cloistered"’ ELIGIOUS belief and human curiosity will be the motives that will take most people to see ‘Cloistered,’ the motion picture chronicle of French convent life, which was previewed the other morning. I suggest, however, that-purely as a film-it is also worthy of notice by serious students of the cinema, That, at least, seems to me to be the only aspect on which a film eritie (as such) ean legitimately presume to speak, unless he wants to land himself up to the neck in sectarian hot water. J think, though, that one can safely say that anyone who goes to ."Cloistered" hoping solely for sensational disclosures may he disappointed. On the other hand, this is a unique-and often surprisingly intimate-record of day-by-day routine in the "closed" convent. of the Sisters of the Order of the Good Shepherd at Angers. It -is long and often detailed to the point of seeming discursive, but a certain dramatie quality is achieved by the arrangement of scenes, clever editing and. much excellent photography. Living Sculpture YNDEED, there are sequences in "Cloistered" which grove themselves on the memory by their simplicity: and purity of outline. A remarkable effeer

of living sculpture is achieved in those scenes of serried rows of nuns kneeling in motionless prayer, their robes falling to the ground as if cut from marble. Almost it is as if the power of faith ha'd become visible. Other impressive moments are those showing the various stages in the preparation of novices for taking their yows, and the spectacular ritual of profession itself, A more-what shall I say?-human note is struck by scenes of nuns going about their daily tasks, Their activities are yery varied, for the community is self-contained, and apparently almost entirely self-support-

ing. There are carpenters, plasterers, shoemakers, printers. "Cloistered"’ reaches a high standard in the technique of what is known as the ‘‘documentary" film, It has been produced by experts, and obviously with the fullest co-operation of the authorities. There is some dialogue in French, but a great deal of it is in Iunglish, put into the mouths of the speakers, In addition, there is a full, well-written commentary in English that often enhances the dramatic effect of the photography. "Cloistered," an officia] documentary film. Produced in France by Robert Alexandre for Pathe Cinema Productions. Wirst release: Wellington, June 10.

Naughty De Mille! (CECIL B. DE MILLE’S "The Plainsman" has been banned in Germany. The reason given is that Mr. De Mille "consorted with the Soviets." De Mille explains that the "consort ing" consisted of sending a Christmas ecard, three years ago, to Boris Shumiatsky, former head of the Russian film industry! Chan Junior JK EYE LUKE may step into his sereen father’s. shoes. Ile’s the Chinese actor who's been playing son to Charlie Chan in the Iast half-dozen or so Chan films, Ile also played Muni'’s eldep son yery nicely in "The Good Earth." Since Warner Oland’s walk-out from Fox, one of the substitute ideas is a "Son of Charlie Chan" series featuring Luke. It is said that his real genius is for painting, so perhaps they'll make Chan, Junior, an artist-detective.