Camden film club to compare classic, modern silent films - Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel

A still of Bérénice Bejo and Jean Dujardin in “The Artist.” The Weinstein Company

The Camden Public Library’s Friday Film Club plans to meet online at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, to discuss two silent films, “The Navigator ” (1924, 69 minutes) and “The Artist” (2011, 100 minutes).

This month’s selections will provide an opportunity to compare and contrast examples of classic and modern silent film-making.

With a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “The Navigator” is considered one of Buster Keaton’s best and beloved films. In this classic from the “Golden Age of Comedy,” wealthy and impulsive Rollo Treadway (Keaton) decides to propose to his beautiful socialite neighbor, Betsy O’Brien (Kathryn McGuire). Although Betsy turns Rollo down, he still opts to go on the cruise that he intended as their honeymoon. When circumstances find both Rollo and Betsy on the wrong ship, they end up having (mis)adventures on the high seas, allowing Keaton plenty of opportunities to display his trademark agility.

A still from “The Navigator,” 1924. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

While produced in 2011, “The Artist” is set in 1927. This French comedy-drama stars Jean Dujardin as an egomaniacal silent film star who develops a relationship with a young dancer (Bérénice Bejo) against the backdrop of Hollywood’s transition from silent movies to “talkies.”

“The Artist” received widespread critical acclaim. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Dujardin.

New film club members are always welcome, and there is no obligation to participate in discussions every month. Participants should plan to watch the films prior to the discussion on Oct. 15. Details for free and low-cost options for viewing the films are provided by the library.

Email [email protected] for more details and to receive a Zoom link to participate in the discussion.

For more information, visit the What’s Happening adult events calendar on librarycamden.org.

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