Zigeunerdans af Troubaduren - 1906
ABOUT THE FILM : Zigeunerdans af Troubaduren
Det Danske FilminstitutThe Gypsy Dance of the Troubadour
Year: 1906
The dancers were extremely agile. Pirouettes, dancing on points and entrechats succeeded one another. The glade's decor made the stage comical. At that time cinema was only just starting out. The camera was fixed on the dance and drama scenes. In his little studio of only a few metres squared, Peter Elfelt, the pioneer of Danish cinema had countless dance troupes parade by. Proof that the dance movements were imprinted on the film perfectly.
Nationality: Danish
Length: 59"
Genre: dance
Sound: silent with soundtrack
Original elements: black & white
Composer: Eric Le Guen
A BRIEF HISTORY : Zigeunerdans af Troubaduren
Peter Elfelt (1866-1931) was the pioneer of Danish cinema. In 1901 he opened the first cinematographic projection theatre, the "Københavns Kinoptikon" theatre on the first floor of the 27 of the Frederiksberggade. The public wasn't there and the theatre only became profitable in 1906.
His interest in cinema dated back to 1896. He attended his first screening of the Lumière Brothers in the Grand Café in Paris. He then tried to buy a cinematograph. Unsuccessfully. A connoisseur and clear-sighted observer, Elfelt worked out a detailed plan of the camera and projector that he entrusted to the great Jens Poul Andersen (1844-1935). Andersen managed to piece together a machine.
In 1890 Elfelt opened a workshop with his brothers Karl and Axel, accomplished photographers and artists. From 1897 he filmed the first film sequence of Danish cinema, a half a minute A sleigh ride with dogs from Greenland (Kørsel Med Grønlandske Hunde). Contrary to what the name suggested, Elfelt filmed in a park in Copenhagen.
From 1899 Elfelt filmed the royal family and became the Court's official photographer. For more than ten years he was the kingdom's only producer. He made more than 200 news sequences. He favoured naturalist films, documentaries and reports: military parades, the arrival of new kings and queens, official funerals, baptisms. He also produced and realised the first Danish fiction film. The Execution (Henrettelsen) was inspired by a French news brief, the story of a mother who killed her 10 children. Francesca Nathansen a singer of light music had the main role.
Elfelt also tried his hand at advertising film, biographical films about personalities from Copenhagen's political, academic and artistic world with Alexander Christian, future great film director.
Most of his films are kept in the Danske Filminstitut.
