A 1917 silent epic where a wronged woman saves her villain—Orientalist melodrama at its wildest.
Vincento Perez, the governor of the Portuguese colony of Exile, is an unscrupulous and brutal man who is hated by the natives. Furthering his schemes, Perez tries to force silk dealers out of business, and reveals his plans to government engineer Richmond Harvey in a letter appealing for the American's help.
Direction
Tourneur's shadows and composition elevate colonial schlock.
Costume
Petrova's exotic wardrobe—problematic but visually striking.
Director
Maurice Tourneur
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Olga Petrova produced this herself through her own company, one of few women with such control in 1917.
The 'exotic Oriental love' marketing reveals early Hollywood's obsession with fetishized Asian settings played entirely by white actors.
US
