When The Artist won the top Oscar on Sunday night, critic Roger Ebert compared it to an episode of The Twilight Zone. “The Academy Award for best picture went to a silent film in black and white,” he wrote. “Its victory will send Hollywood back to its think tanks.”
In this short film by Joe LaMattina of Last Call With Carson Daly, the writer and director of The Artist, Michel Hazanavicius, talks about the challenge of holding an audience’s attention without dialogue, and the magic that happens when it’s done right. “There’s a very interesting process with silent movies,” Hazanavicius says. “The black and white and the lack of sound creates a mystery.”
The Artist has taught audiences in the 21st century that silent films can be a delight. If you would like to explore some of the great films from the golden age of silent cinema, visit our collection of 100 Free Silent Films: The Great Classics, which includes works by Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Fritz Lang, F.W. Murnau, G.W. Pabst and many more. They’re all part of our bigger meta collection of Free Movies.
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Watch 10 of the Greatest Silent Films of All Time, All Free Online
In France Hazanavicius became cult in the 90’s with a never published movie, which can only be seen now through the web. The Reason: it’s a mashup from classic hollywood films, and cleaning the rights would be impossible.
It can be seen here (but it’s in french language): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PRtFewFDz4