THE DRAGON PAINTER, 1919

USA | DCP, Color | 61’
Director: William Worthington
Cast: Sessue Hayakawa, Tsuru Aoki, Edward Peil Sr.
Music: Mas Koga

Starring Sessue Hayakawa, the film tells the story of Tatsu, a painter living in seclusion in the mountains. Believing that his fiancée has been captured by a dragon, Tatsu transforms this obsession into artistic inspiration. After his talent is discovered, he enters the household of the renowned painter Kano Indara; however, seeing his lost princess in Kano’s daughter leads to an escalating conflict. Combining romantic and mythological elements, the film is one of the rare examples of silent-era Hollywood featuring a predominantly Asian cast.
Restoration: San Francisco Film Preserve, Eye Filmmuseum

*For the Thursday screening of this film, visitors can collect their tickets at the museum desk on the day of the screening. Tickets are free for residents of Türkiye.