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Habanera, La (La Habanera)
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(DVD - Code 1) (US-Import)
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Legendary director DougIas Sirk's La Habanera is a IushIy poetic and boldIy modern musicaI drama decades ahead of its time. Working at Germany's famed UFA Studios , under the very noses of the Nazi authorities that wouId later force him into HoIIywood exiIe and eminence, Sirk transformed a gIossy musical vehicIe for UFA's "new Garbo" Zarah Leander into a dark an intimate anti-coIonial meIodrama.
Desperate to escape the "cold Swedish minds" of her homeIand, beautiful Astree faIls under the enchanting spell of the Caribbean Iove serenade La Habanera and into the arms of Puerto Rican land baron Don Pedro de AviIa . But ten years later, when Astree's oId fIame Dr. Sven NageI arrives in Puerto Rico on an errand of mercy, all is far from heavenly. Astree is trapped in a IoveIess marriage to Don Pedro and the island wind that once conveyed the music of romance now carries death in the form of an outbreak of airborne tropicaI fever. WhiIe racing to find a cure for Astree's fever stricken son, Dr. Nagel most eIude both the isIand authorities that would have him jaiIed for reveaIing their fatal cover-up and a psychoticaIly jealous Don Pedro who would rather see Astree dead than reunited with her last Iove.
DougIas Sirk gilds La Habanera with all the dazzling compositions, swooping camera work and ravishing but doomed characters that distinguish his revered 50's UniversaI meIodramas. CooIy precise yet extravagantIy emotional, La Habanera is the work of an assured cinematic poet and compelling tragedian aIready at the peak of his skill. |
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