Return of the black and white movie

Monday, 27 February 2012

The Artist

Black and white silent film has had a recent revival with the hugely popular and successful film ‘the Artist'.  This film, which is set in Hollywood in 1927, evokes this classic era and takes, as its theme, the plight of a dashing silent movie star whose career appears to be doomed by the advent of the talkies.

Alternatively, if you want to go right back to the original black and white silent era, you can do no better than to head down to Reading Film Theatre's (RFT) screening of ‘The Cabinet of Dr Caligari'. Originally released in 1920 this silent film was 10 years in the making. It follows the sinister Dr Caligari and his fairground attraction Cesare who the doctor has completely in his control. Caligari has him sneak into the night to do his evil bidding; wherever he goes, murder ensues.

In order to bring this influential horror movie further to life, RFT have employed the talents of Minima, a group of four musicians who play a live accompaniment to the film. RFT received support from the University of Reading's Arts Committee to bring this special event to Reading.

Both films can be seen at Reading Film Theatre, in Palmer Building on Whiteknights campus.

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Thursday 1 March at 8pm

The Artist, Tuesday 20 March at 8pm

Further information;  rft@reading.ac.uk 0118 378 7151 www.readingfilmtheatre.co.uk