Silent Film Celebrates Silent Film Era

The Artist is a movie that celebrates the silent film era even as it tells the story of its decline. The focus is on two stars of that era, an aging male lead and a rising actress, just as the medium is about to change and talkies become all the rage.

A film about a bygone era and characters who are not household names is news enough in the bland sea of holiday retreads, action thrillers and unfunny romantic comedies. But The Artist goes one step further, or rather, 80 years backwards. It is a silent film itself and shot in black-and-white.

Take that you noisy, wisp-o-nothing, superhero franchises.

All kidding and snide digs aside, the film is not to be missed. It premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival where the lead actor, Jean Dujardin, won the Best Actor Award.

It’s arrival on the Vineyard beats most of the country too as it doesn’t go into wide release for a few more months. The folks at the Martha’s Film Festival have an in at the Weinstein Company, the distributors of the film.

Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. at the the Capawock Theatre. Tickets are $5 for MVFF members and $10 for general admission.

For more details, visit tmvff.org.