Some days before, this German Count mentioned that melodrama was one of the most important and highly reputed characteristics in Italian film productions of the silent early years. "Cenere", directed and co-starred by Herr Febo Mari ) is an important display of that celebrated Italian genre but, fortunately only in a superficial way.
The most important aspect of "Cenere" is that it was the only film in which appeared the eminent Italian stage actress Dame Eleonora Duse. She plays a poor woman who, incapable of raising and feed him, leaves her illegitimate son with foster parents. Before she leaves her boy, the woman gives to the child an amulet in order to protect him. The amulet will be the key to put him in connection with his old mother when the boy grows up.
With such a tearful story, "Cenere" might have been another one of those many and simplistic melodramas of those early days. However, thanks to the restrained and excellent Eleonora Duse's performance (although the actress was disappointed with quality of this film) the movie is both emotive and realistic. Herr Febo Mari's direction is notable for two remarkable aspects, being "Cenere" is a kind of (if German may be permitted) "Kammerspiele in Italian style" (most part of the film passes, among mother and son only, in her humble home). Despite its primitive direction, it pays special attention to the Sardinia landscapes and the hard labours of the workmen while involving them into the story. For these reasons, "Cenere" it is for this German Count, a special and soulful Italian melodrama.
And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count wants to pay a visit to his octogenarian Teutonic mother to who has not seen during the last century.
Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/
