Laugh Out Loud

The 20th Silent Film Festival (5-8 December) will bring smiles to everyone’s faces – we celebrate the anniversary event accompanied by happy, laughing guests! We will watch some of the finest masters of silent comedy including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, accompanied by masters of sound once again providing live music backing to classic films and less-well-known silent productions.

The programme features legendary American comedies. Go West portrays a young man on the quest to make his fortune by becoming a cowboy. In Our Hospitality we discover the power of a feud between two families, dating back so long no-one can remember the reason it started in the first place. Both films star one of the greatest stars of early cinema, “The Great Stone Face” Buster Keaton. The slapstick The Gold Rush is another classic of the era, starring none other than Charlie Chaplin – if you haven’t seen the dance of the rolls and the boiling and eating of a shoe, you are in for a treat! We will also see short films starring the unforgettable duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, as well as movies directed by Mel Brooks and written by Samuel Beckett. Live music is provided by acclaimed cinematic accompanists, DJs, virtuosos of electronica and multi-instrumental ensembles, including Acoustic Ethno Orchestra, Salk, Leszek “Hefi” Wiśniowski and Vladimirska.

There will also be a section dedicated to the youngest cinema fans, while seniors discover the benefits of laughter yoga. And of course there will be a birthday party, complete with cake and reminiscences of previous festivals. Happy birthday! (Justyna Skalska, “Karnet” magazine)