The Slave Market

Plot

In this early silent film, a wealthy pasha sits leisurely in front of an ornate tent, preparing to purchase new slave girls. After clapping his hands to summon a servant, the pasha enjoys his water pipe while the transaction unfolds. The servant calls forth a slave trader accompanied by two henchmen, who present four young women dressed in patterned burnooses for the pasha's inspection and purchase. The film captures the exotic and erotic atmosphere of an imagined Oriental slave market, reflecting the colonial fantasies popular in early 20th century European cinema.

Historical Background

The Slave Market was produced during the early days of cinema when filmmakers were still exploring the possibilities of the new medium. In 1907, the film industry was in its infancy, with most productions being short, simple films shown in vaudeville theaters or special venues. This period saw the rise of 'erotic cinema' as a distinct genre, with producers like Schwarzer recognizing a commercial demand for films featuring nudity and sexual themes. The Orientalist setting reflects the widespread European fascination with the 'exotic East' during the colonial era, a theme that provided a socially acceptable framework for displaying erotic content. Austria-Hungary at this time had strict censorship laws, but there was a thriving underground market for erotic films. The production also coincides with the early days of film censorship, as authorities were beginning to grapple with the new medium's potential for 'immoral' content.

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.

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 Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of The Slave Market and similar Saturn-Film productions is virtually non-existent, as these films were not reviewed in mainstream publications due to their erotic nature. They were primarily consumed in private or specialized venues, away from critical scrutiny. Modern film historians and scholars view these films as important artifacts of early cinema, particularly for their role in the development of erotic cinema and film censorship. While the content is problematic by modern standards due to its racial and gender stereotypes, scholars recognize their historical significance in understanding the early film industry's exploration of genre and market niches. The films are often discussed in the context of early pornography studies and the history of film censorship.

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.

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