CALL OF THE SEA (Zew morza) (1927) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Henryk Szaro

Written by - Stefan Kiedrzynski

Starring - Maria Malicka, Krysia Dlugolecka, Antoni Rozanski

"CALL OF THE SEA is a film about a prodigal son's return to his countryside home, where he finds out that his childhood sweetheart has been promised to another man. 

This film by HENRYK SZARO has some particularly interesting characters, both vulnerable in their own way - the woman is homeless and the son is in love but unable to understand what how he is to deal with his emotions. It is a perfect example of a notable advancement in early cinema, but more specifically in Polish cinema, which attempted to infuse social realism within a more cinematic narrative. For this one must not forget to highlight the work of STEFAN KIEDRZYNSKI, who wrote the scenario, and does an admirable job despite the heavy handed melodrama that makes it seem a little aged by today's standards. 

CALL OF THE SEA is also visually arresting. It was the very first film shot on panchromatic film, and its sensibility adds a stunning vibrant texture to the outdoors sequences."

Drama, Polish