Silent Autumn

This season, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival descended upon Castro Theatre to showcase recently restored The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. I've seen this film before (though in very poor quality) and really enjoyed the German Expressionism so evident in this film: low budget set designs with geometric landscaping; painted walls and floors to represent lights, shadows, and objects; story lines that primarily deal with the psyche.

Dr. Caligari is considered the first psychological thriller that employed the plot twist. The film is presented in a framing format. That is, the first and final scenes are set in the present with everything in between a storytelling in flashback. Its title cards are written in German but contained the English translation. The writing was stylized to reflect the mood and tone of the film. The restoration was excellent with a crisp and clear image quite possibly not seen since its original run in 1920.

Another film showcased at the festival (and one that I also had previously seen) was The General staring the Great Stone Face, Buster Keaton. He was known for his deadpan humor and physically exhausting stunts. This silent comedy premiered in 1926 and, at that time, was considered the most expensive film ever made. The story focuses on a train engineer who embarks on a mission to retrieve his stolen, beloved train named "The General". Set during the Civil War, the majority of this film centers on a great chase along the railroad tracks. Keaton performed all of his stunts on a moving train. Perhaps the most iconic scene is when he sits on a moving coupling rod.

For Mobile Users: The General

What I enjoy most about watching silent films is the live music accompaniment. You have to give a lot of credit to the musicians who have to maintain their precision for an hour and half film. Dr. Caligari was performed by a solo organ player and The General performed by a mini-orchestra. 

SIDE NOTE

Speaking of music, there was an advert on screen for the San Francisco Symphony. In January, the symphony will be performing the music accompaniment for The Godfather. I am definitely going to be in attendance. 

The festival experience wouldn't be complete without a few photos of Castro Theatre itself.