Falling In Love With Greta Garbo

The moment John Gilbert falls in love with Greta Garbo on screen in Flesh and the Devil. Gilbert was one of the biggest silent film stars of the time, while Garbo’s fame went on to eclipse his.

It was said that when sound films arrived, Gilbert’s career declined because his voice did not match the romantic image audiences had of him. Others claimed the studio boss Louis B. Mayer disliked him and helped push his career into decline.

I am drawn to this moment between Gilbert and Garbo, particularly the instant they first see each other on screen. I have wanted to make an animation of his reaction to Garbo for some time, focusing on that suspended moment of recognition and desire.

The animation is a looped reaction shot of a man falling in love.

︎ → Transition Gallery

︎ → Blog post

︎ ︎︎︎ Instagram