The Seahawk

Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Op/Ed

On Thursday, Sept. 4, Flicker Film and Randall Library hosted "Silents Please!" an event that exposed students to the silent film era by showing three silent films.

The evening began with an introduction by host Todd Berliner, a film studies professor, about silent films and Buster Keaton, a distinguished silent filmmaker in the 1920s. Keaton was known for under-acting, which was strange for the silent film era and is still famous for his film's innovative humor.

After the introduction, Berliner received a book on silent films from Public Programming Librarian Ameet Doshi, on behalf of the library, as a thank you for speaking at the event.

The event consisted of three silent film showings. A one-hour Buster Keaton film, "7 Chances," was viewed first. A 20-minute documentary on MGM Studios in 1925 was then shown on 8 mm film with a projector. The evening ended with "Strange Woods," a four-minute silent film by the Flicker Film Society directed by senior Duncan Hill, Flicker Film Society President.

"It's a chance for students and the community to experience a unique era in cinema," Doshi said. "What's particularly unique about the event is that the library has a rare collection of 8 mm films, which gives the audience the experience of going back in time, like going to the movies in the 1920s."

Going back in time is exactly the experience the audience received while appreciating the silent films; however, students came to the showing for many different reasons.

Freshman Elaine Sprankle, a film studies major, said, "I want to get involved in Flicker, and I think it's cool to see where new films draw their influence from old films."

What do silent films offer that movies with sound cannot? Sophomore Kara Stellner, a Flicker Film Society officer, said, "You focus more on the details of filmmaking, the basics."

Junior Stephen Ruiz, also a Flicker Film Society officer, added, "It's good to know your origins and where everything starts, it's just the beginning."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools