''Miarka'' or ''Miarka: The Daughter of the Bear'' (French: ''Miarka, la fille à l'ourse'') is a 1920 French silent

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

directed by

Louis Mercanton Louis Mercanton (4 May 1879 – 29 April 1932) was a Swiss people, Swiss film director, screenwriter and actor. Mercanton was born in Nyon, Vaud, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland and died in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Partial filmography Director * '' ...

and starring Ivor Novello. The film is also known by the

alternative title An alternative title is a media sales device most prominently used in film distribution. Books and films are commonly released under a different title when they are screened or sold in a different country. This can vary from small change to the ...

of ''Gypsy Passion''. It was shot on location in the

Camargue Camargue (, also , , ; oc, label= Provençal, Camarga) is a region of France located south of Arles, between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhône delta. The eastern arm is called the ''Grand Rhône''; the western one is the '' ...

region. It was based on a novel by

Jean Richepin Jean Richepin (; 4 February 1849 – 12 December 1926) was a French poet, novelist and dramatist. Biography Son of an army doctor, Jean Richepin was born 4 February 1849 at Médéa, French Algeria. At school and at the École Normale Supé ...

which was later turned into a sound film of the same name''.

Plot

As described in a

film magazine Film periodicals combine discussion of individual films, genres and directors with in-depth considerations of the medium and the conditions of its production and reception. Their articles contrast with film reviewing in newspapers and magazines whi ...

, Romany Kate, a gypsy, and her granddaughter Miarka (Mazza) live in the abandoned ruins of an old castle and in the shadow of a modern mansion. The owner of the estate is making a study of gypsy life and writing a book on the subject. He has stolen a manuscript from Romany Kate's wagon and is having it translated. Louis, the gamekeeper, seeks Miarka's hand but Romany Kate plans to have her granddaughter marry the head of the gypsy tribe. Ivor (Novello), nephew of their wealthy benefactor, also falls in love with Miarka. Louis accuses Romany Kate of setting a fire to the mansion and she is locked up. He then attempts to drug Miarka, but her pet bear Pouzzli attacks Louis and kills him. As he dies, he confesses that stole from his employer and tried to hide the crime. Ivor is then found to be a chief of a branch of the nomads, and Romany Kate gives her consent to Miarka's marriage.

Cast

* Desdemona Mazza as Miarka * Jean Mercanton * Marie Grisier-Montbazon * Ivor Novello as Ivor *Paul Numa *

as Lord * Gabrielle Réjane as Vougne *

Charles Vanel Charles-Marie Vanel (21 August 1892 – 15 April 1989) was a French actor and director. During his 76-year film career, which began in 1912, he appeared in more than 200 films and worked with many prominent directors, including Alfred Hitchcock ...

as Mario, the game warden

References

External links

* 1920 drama films Films directed by Louis Mercanton Films set in France French black-and-white films Silent French drama films 1920s French films 1920s French-language films {{1920s-France-film-stub