Immortalizing Klaw : A Tribute By Greta Von Scorn Review

Immortalizing Klaw: A Tribute By Greta Von Scorn (2005) USA

Review by Domina
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I was very excited when I ordered this dvd, and having enjoyed other Harmony Concepts' works, I couldn't wait to get it in the mail. Afterall, the dvd recreates the immortal images of Irving Klaw--famous bondage photographer and the man responsible for making Bettie Page an American icon--so what self-respecting bondage enthusiast wouldn't be tied up in knots about it?

Unfortunately, my expectations were perhaps a bit too high, and I didn't find this film as good as some of Harmony's other works (see Nine Bound Beauties).

Let me explain. Immortalizing Klaw : A Tribute By Greta Von Scorn is not a bad movie. It's just when a tribute is being paid to a great artist like Irving Klaw, it is bound to raise the expectations of the viewers.

Technically, the film has the same clear quality of picture and bright lighting that Harmony is known for. The girls were pretty (including a great Bettie Page look-a-like) and poses were authentic.

It was the atmosphere, however, that I found didn't work for the film. There is something about the slick quality and deep focas of digital video that cannot recreate the mood of vintage porn... At least not without some work and creativity. The cinematography could have been B&W or at least muted colors to better facilitate a retro look, which they did briefly. And, I don't know who the set designer was for this film, but the royal blue carpet and tacky fake wood masonite paneling didn't create a sexy environment for me. The sets looked too modern, too boxy and sparesly furnished, too unauthentic. If I were to try to recreate another artist's work, I would do so paying special attention to all the details and nuances that gave it that retro feel. Otherwise it is just a cheap imitation.

I am probably being too hard, as I'm sure many other bondage fans will enjoy this film. Details such as the mis-en-scene would not bother them. This film's one saving grace is the skill of Greta to reproduce the poses of the models which is amazing. It's too bad they could't have produced a slide show with the real Klaw photos that inspired Greta in the first place, but Harmony may not have had rights to those images.

Other reviews by Domina

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