The Slave Market

About the production

This film was part of Saturn-Film's series of erotic short films known as 'Saturn-Filme,' which were among the earliest examples of erotic cinema produced in Austria. The company operated from 1906 to 1911 and specialized in what were considered 'erotic' or 'exotic' subjects, often featuring nude or semi-nude performers in Oriental or mythological settings. These films were typically 3-5 minutes long and were often shown in private screenings or special venues rather than regular cinemas.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Saturn-Film positioned The Slave Market for 1907 audiences accustomed to weekly program changes in urban theaters.

Why this film matters

Revival audiences read The Slave Market as evidence of 1907 taste for stories about in front of a round tent, a pasha is sitting on the grass; to the right of the tent's door.

Making of

Johann Schwarzer, a photographer by trade, established Saturn-Film in Vienna in 1906, recognizing a market for erotic moving pictures. The production was typical of his approach: simple sets, minimal costumes, and straightforward scenarios designed to showcase female nudity within an 'exotic' context. The filming likely took place in Schwarzer's studio in Vienna's ninth district, where he constructed the tent set and hired performers from Vienna's theatrical and artistic circles. The production was extremely modest even by early cinema standards, with a small crew and basic lighting. The water pipe, tent, and costumes were props designed to create an Orientalist atmosphere that would make the erotic content more acceptable to audiences of the time. These films were shot quickly and cheaply, intended for rapid distribution to the specialized market that existed for such content.

What critics said

Silent-era reviewers devoted little space to The Slave Market, typical for a release of its scale in 1907.

Did you know?

• Johann Schwarzer was a pioneer of erotic cinema in Austria, founding Saturn-Film which produced approximately 52 erotic films between 1906-1911
• The 8-pointed star shown in the film was Saturn-Film's logo, representing the planet Saturn
• This film was part of a series of 'exotic' films that capitalized on European fascination with Orientalism
• Schwarzer's films were often confiscated by Austrian authorities for their erotic content
• Many of Schwarzer's films were destroyed in a 1928 fire at the Austrian Film Archive, though some copies survived in private collections
• The 'slave market' theme was common in early erotic cinema as it provided a pretext for displaying female nudity
• Saturn-Film was one of the first companies to systematically produce erotic films for commercial distribution
• The performers in these films were often anonymous, as acting in erotic films was considered scandalous
• These films were typically screened in brothels, gentlemen's clubs, or special 'erotic cinema' venues
• Schwarzer's production company was eventually shut down by Austrian authorities in 1911

Visual style

The cinematography of The Slave Market is typical of early cinema: static camera position, simple composition, and basic lighting. The camera would have been placed at a fixed distance to capture the entire scene in one continuous shot, as camera movement and editing were still in their infancy. The lighting was likely natural or basic artificial illumination designed to clearly show the performers and props. The visual style prioritized clarity and legibility over artistic expression, as the primary goal was to present the erotic content effectively. The composition centered the action around the pasha and the slave girls, with the tent and other props providing an exotic backdrop. The black and white film stock of the era would have created high contrast images, emphasizing the patterns on the costumes and the performers' forms.

Innovations

While The Slave Market does not represent major technical innovations in cinema, it does reflect the standard technical practices of its era. The film was likely shot on 35mm film stock using a hand-cranked camera, typical of the period. The production represents the early film industry's ability to create convincing (if rudimentary) exotic settings within the constraints of studio filmmaking. Saturn-Film's systematic approach to producing erotic content for a specific market could be considered an innovation in terms of niche market development in early cinema. The survival of some of these films despite the loss of many early cinema works also speaks to their technical durability and the care with which some collectors preserved them.

Music

As a silent film, The Slave Market had no synchronized soundtrack. During exhibition, it would have been accompanied by live music, typically a piano or small ensemble in the venues where it was shown. The musical accompaniment would have been improvised or drawn from popular pieces of the era, chosen to match the exotic and erotic mood of the film. In some venues, particularly brothels or private clubs, the music might have been provided by in-house musicians who were familiar with the types of films being shown. The lack of standardized musical accompaniment meant that the experience could vary significantly between different exhibition venues.

Memorable scenes

• The opening scene with the pasha sitting before the tent, establishing the exotic setting and power dynamic; The moment when the slave girls are presented to the pasha, the central erotic spectacle of the film

What audiences thought

The Slave Market and other Saturn-Film productions were apparently popular within their target market of viewers seeking erotic content. The existence of approximately 52 such films produced over five years suggests there was sufficient demand to sustain the business model. These films were typically shown in brothels, gentlemen's clubs, and special erotic cinema venues rather than mainstream theaters. The audience reception among these specialized viewers was likely positive enough to warrant continued production. However, the films were also controversial, leading to police raids and the eventual closure of Saturn-Film in 1911. The films' popularity among certain segments of society contributed to growing concerns about cinema's moral influence and helped fuel the movement for film censorship.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Orientalist paintings of the 19th century
• Travel literature about the Middle East
• Earlier erotic photography
• Stage melodramas with exotic settings

This film influenced

• Other Saturn-Film productions
• Later erotic cinema with exotic settings
• Early exploitation films

Film restoration

Some copies of Saturn-Film productions, including potentially The Slave Market, have survived in various film archives and private collections. However, many of Schwarzer's films were lost in a 1928 fire at the Austrian Film Archive. The surviving prints are often in poor condition due to the age and the nitrate film stock used during this period. Various film archives, including the Filmarchiv Austria, hold some Saturn-Film productions, though the exact status of The Slave Market specifically is unclear.

Where to watch

• Due to its age and erotic content, The Slave Market is not commercially available on mainstream streaming platforms. Some film archives and specialized cinema history websites may hold copies for academic or research purposes. The film might occasionally be shown in specialized film festivals or museum exhibitions focusing on early cinema or erotic film history. Access is generally restricted to researchers, students, and film historians with appropriate credentials.