"Carnival in Flanders" (1935) is both an elaborate historic period film, and a clever comedy. The costumes and sets were inspired by Flemish Renaissance paintings.
Set in the year 1616, the Spanish army plans to invade the Flemish town of Boom. Most of the men hide. However, the women of Boom, led by the burgomaster's wife Cornelia, protect their village by using their feminine charm and hospitality. Cornelia invites the handsome Spanish duke and his officers to a fancy banquet at the burgomaster's house. There is also a festival with music, song and folk dance at the local inn for the soldiers. The dialog is witty and clever.
There is a subplot of a romance between the burgomaster's daughter Siska, and her painter boyfriend. Her boyfriend is Jan Brueghel the Younger, who was an actual Flemish painter.
The costumes and sets reflect the art of various Flemish Renaissance painters. Each scene in the film looks like a Flemish painting. The scenes are similar to the paintings of Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jan Brueghel the Younger, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Frans Hals, Jacob Jordaens, Johannes Vermeer, and other artists.
The village of Boom is very picturesque, with a canal, windmills and historic buildings with towers. There are some lovely scenes of boats on the canal in the moonlight.
The costumes are extravagant. The wealthy men and women wear black clothes with large white ruffs around the neck. The peasant women wear native folk dress with caps.
The film has a cast of hundreds. In one scene, the women of Boom graciously welcome the Spanish army, who arrive on horseback in a long procession. The army is led by drummers, and the soldiers wear gleaming armor.
This is a witty, artistic film. It won numerous awards. I hope a DVD is released soon.
Set in the year 1616, the Spanish army plans to invade the Flemish town of Boom. Most of the men hide. However, the women of Boom, led by the burgomaster's wife Cornelia, protect their village by using their feminine charm and hospitality. Cornelia invites the handsome Spanish duke and his officers to a fancy banquet at the burgomaster's house. There is also a festival with music, song and folk dance at the local inn for the soldiers. The dialog is witty and clever.
There is a subplot of a romance between the burgomaster's daughter Siska, and her painter boyfriend. Her boyfriend is Jan Brueghel the Younger, who was an actual Flemish painter.
The costumes and sets reflect the art of various Flemish Renaissance painters. Each scene in the film looks like a Flemish painting. The scenes are similar to the paintings of Jan Brueghel the Elder, Jan Brueghel the Younger, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Frans Hals, Jacob Jordaens, Johannes Vermeer, and other artists.
The village of Boom is very picturesque, with a canal, windmills and historic buildings with towers. There are some lovely scenes of boats on the canal in the moonlight.
The costumes are extravagant. The wealthy men and women wear black clothes with large white ruffs around the neck. The peasant women wear native folk dress with caps.
The film has a cast of hundreds. In one scene, the women of Boom graciously welcome the Spanish army, who arrive on horseback in a long procession. The army is led by drummers, and the soldiers wear gleaming armor.
This is a witty, artistic film. It won numerous awards. I hope a DVD is released soon.