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Sorry to go off topic, but i'm going to get on my soapbox for a minute.
In a week when 'The Human centipede 2' and the remake of 'Straw dogs' is released, why is the directors cut of 'The Devils' still sitting on the shelf surely this film can't be considered too provocative for audiencies. Warner Bros give me my devils.

Best clip ever! Oodles of flappy hand action!

It is the best film of the year without a doubt. Hazanavicius' ambition, cinematic knowledge and affection pours from every frame. It's a film about film for film fans. Simple as. Here's my review (with words rather than body language...)

I saw the Artist at the LFF a few weeks ago and loved it. Everyone I saw just had a nice smile on their face on the way out. The only downside was the lack of a live pianist.
I just hope this makes people see how good silent films can be and go back and watch some of the classic silent films, maybe even show them on TV occasionly!

Going on your previous post about what audiences SHOULD do when going to the talkies, would you say that this is absolutely a chance for audiences to get more audibly involved with a film? I love the idea of going to a silent film and laughing out loud, screaming, booing and hissing, and then applauding at the end. I know that you can do all these things in ordinary films, but, building on the theme of 'dos and don'ts', can we have a list of things one might be encouraged to do when watching a silent film? If film makers see this kind of a public reaction to silent films, who knows, maybe we could see the revival of the medium? It could be the antithesis of 3D, showing that audiences are less interested in visual gimmicks, and more interested in the stripped down craft of simply telling a good story.

Buster Keaton. Harold Lloyd. Charlie Chaplin. Mark Kermode... Genius.

Apt. Dr. K displays a striking resemblance to vaudevillian Joe E. Brown (who in the latter part of his career got the last line in Some Like It Hot). Looking forward to The Artist, and hope it gets a decent release.

I wonder if any contemporary films would benefit from the silent treatment: recut, redubbed as silent. Truly cinematic films should rely on a visual vocabulary that may make this possible. On the other hand, The Social Network would be about five minutes long.

Saw this at the Toronto Film Festival. Absolutely the best movie I saw this year. A total, unexpected, complete joy.

that was really good Mark

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As i am writing this from Paris, i am lucky enough to have already seen The Artist. I had never really watched silent film before this, not for any good reason as i had no problem with the concept of it but had merely never made the choice to watch some. I was totally blown away by it, and right now would probably put it in my top 5 for the year. There was even some typiquement french clapping at the end to follow the new code of conduct. Needless to say i will certainly "choose" to watch some more silent cinema.

This looks beautiful and that soundtrack? I shall be visiting the Phoenix very soon for this I hope..

Yay!!! I'm so excited, i really want to see this!!!

I hope it is not in 3D.

Oh look at his joyous face, it must have must have wish/dream now made true. His fine band, The Dodge Brothers, play musical compliment to silent movies, and now he's in own silent movie (well short video). How many takes did that take? As, I have a feeling he and the crew cracked up a few times.

The Artist looks superb. I can't wait to see it. Hope it's showing at The Phoenix when I'm there in a week's time.

Also, in silent mode, the good Dr's hands are indeed more flappable than ever. I know you have to overcompensate for the lack of words. Great expressions as well.

I actually quite liked Mel Brooks' "Silent Movie" myself; although it takes the broad comedy approach, rather than the melodrama approach, it too shows a proper reverence for, and understanding of, the form.

Definitely looking forward to seeing this though. Those clips look fantastic.

If you want a real silent melodrama, try Aki Kaurismäki's "Juha" from 1999. Drama, action, heartache and redemption, and all in classic Kaurismäki style!

Mind you, if it had been his first film, then I am not sure where his career would have gone... :-)

Looks like a film to watch out for, although you did look a little Stan Laurel during the 'some bits are sad' bit of the Blog......... :)

Lovely blog. Made me smile. Thanks.

lovely blog,but should have done the dance of the rolls, the single most beautiful scene in cinema history.

La Antena is practically a silent movie with only The Voice and her child having a voice.
A pity The Artist isn't out till the last Friday of the year. Will have to add it to my films seen on New Years day along with Crouching Tiger and Australia

Fantastic! Is it in 3D?

I didn't know you were such a talented actor. What next - a modelling career?

"The Artist" looks great, looking forward to seeing it. For me the most exciting silent film is Sergie Eisenstein's "October" from way back in 1928. Overshadowed by the fame of "Battleship Potemkin", its a more satisfying experience with stunning editing and it probably pushed silent film as far as it could go at that time. There's a hypnotic cossack dance sequence which is cut as fast as a modern music video. Some of the editing concepts didn't quite work eg. cutting from Alexander Kerensky to a gilded peacock to suggest his vanity and weren't accepted into the language of modern cinema but they were still interesting experiments.

You can see my own humble attempt at a silent film on my Vimeo page. "Aftermath" is a short experimental film set to the music of Irish avant garde composer Roger Doyle. I made it a few years ago but its back on the festival circuit in Ireland and won an award at a small festival during the summer. Its also on YouTube but this recent posting on Vimeo is a cleaner encoding:

Love it! Was waiting for the Uggy stand-in. The Artist makes you realise that you might need a screenplay but dialogue is over-rated.

Love it! Watching The Artist make me realise you don't need dialogue to tell a story. And I lost my heart to Uggy!

I think I am definitly going to see the Artist at the Electric Cinema in London, just to get into the vintage mood!

I was really surprised to learn about The Artist, as it is certainly an incredibly unique film in this day and age of 'CGI rules all'. Quite frankly, it is fresh, surprising, and deserves every tiny bit of the acclaim it has been receiving.



My review should sum up my feelings accurately, and surely goes to prove that silence really is golden.

as fun as the homage review above is, mark kermode without sound just isn't mark kermode as we know him! he's the epitome of the talkies! i want to hear a longer, more in-depth, more vocal review of the film..... i can't find it covered on the film podcast... mark tell us your animated, vocal thoughts. i could listen to you wax lyrical on this film forever.
I saw it at the Renoir tonight and we all clapped at the end of the movie. i love it when a film is that good there's a communal appreciation.... magical.
helen

The king isn't wearing any clothes.

Your review was more knowledgeable about silent film than "The Artist." What hype. It's a silent movie for people who don't really want to see a real silent movie.