The cinematographic works of an artist Walter Spies about Balinese culture: ethnographic spectacles in the social-cultural context of 1930-s

Abstract

The paper provides an overview of existing cinematographic works made in Bali in the 19251930s with the participation of the Russian-German artist and screenwriter Walter Spies in the context of their ethnographic significance. The author of the paper analyzes the relationship between the film industry in Bali in this period and significant role of Walter Spies contribution to the promotion of Bali as an original world cultural and artistic center. The relevance of this research consists in growing interest of modern science towards comprehension of regularities in artists’ addressing the experience of Eastern cultures. Spies managed to generalize and take to the screen main aspects of Balinese culture without the forfeit of its indigenous features, for example «Bali: Sanghyang and Kecak dances» film (1926), «The Island of Demons» film (19301931) and other. In his film works he managed to combine imagery, ethnographic authenticity and beauty of the frame, achieving harmonious unity of artistry, veracity and sacrality. Conscious representation of Bali to the Western world as both sacred and respectable place (in cinema as well), led to the outburst of the western interest to the island in 1930-s, which has also survived today.