Everyone needs to start somewhere. And while German filmmaker Fritz Lang eventually went on to make the name for himself that he has today with classics like “Metropolis,” “M,” “The Testament of Dr. Mabuse,” and “The Big Heat,” it was ultimately his 1921’s “Destiny” that initially got the ball rolling. So to give audiences the chance to see where it all began for the legendary director, Keno has painstakingly restored the film, and will bring it theaters again this summer. And to give people their first peek at the digital restoration, the first trailer has been released.
READ MORE: Watch: 1984 Restoration Of Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’
Expressive is the key word here, as this trailer highlights how Lang used his groundbreaking visual technique even early on to tell this fable of life and death. It’s the film auteur Luis Bunuel said “opened his eyes to the poetic expressiveness of the cinema,” as the trailer is proud to admit, and it’s easy to see how he and other filmmakers were inspired by its grim, moody technique. It’s an uncompromising film, but one that’s hard to look away from. And this trailer does an effective job showcasing Lang’s almost-effortless balance of beauty and dread. Here’s the official synopsis:
A young woman (Lil Dagover) confronts the personification of Death (Bernhard Goetzke), in an effort to save the life of her fiance (Walter Janssen). Death weaves three romantic tragedies and offers to unite the girl with her lover, if she can prevent the death of the lovers in at least one of the episodes. Thus begin three exotic scenarios of ill-fated love, in which the woman must somehow reverse the course of destiny: Persia, Quattrocento Venice, and a fancifully rendered ancient China.
The remastered edition of “Destiny” can first be seen starting in New York’s Film Forum on May 20-26, before it makes its way to Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum on June 1, 3-5. More upcoming dates and schedule times can be seen on Kino’s website. Be on the lookout for your chance to see it yourself. It’s likely going to be an unforgettable filmgoing experience. And in the meantime, check out the new trailer above.
