Film history April 17, 2008

This semester I’m taking a course in film history. This implies I have to watch several classics a week, ooh what a sacrifice

In the last couple of weeks I’ve seen:

· Der Letzte Mann (1924): This is a  typical German Kammerspiel drama, directed by Murnau. Although, the film’s story isn’t much of a specialty, it is the innovative use of camera movement that makes Der Letzte Mann so important to the history of film. It was the first film in history to move its camera backward and forward, as well as up and down and from side to side. The subjective camera, this is when the lens becomes the eyes of the film protagonist, is also remarkable.

· Pantserkruiser Potemkin (or Battleship Potemkin) (1925): intriguing film with exciting montage by a genius of the modern cinema Sergei Eisenstein. This film needs no introduction, it’s a classic.

· The Gold Rush (1925): Comical movie not only starring Charlie Chaplin, but also directed by Chaplin. It’s an easy going film witch classic jokes that will be repeated throughout the entire film history.

· Der Blaue Engel (1930) – directed by Josef von Sternberg: This is one of the first films accompanied by sound. It’s tragic film about the degradation of a professor who falls in love with the dancer Lola Lola. Lola’s song “Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuss auf Liebe eingestellt” became a true hit.

· The Philadelphia Story (1940): A witty, romantic film with an amazing cast directed by George Cukor. Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart perform excellently in this picture.

· The Seventh Seal (1957):  this enormously dark picture by Ingmar Bergman celebrates its 51th birthday this year. The film is however timeless because of its existential theme: the meaning of life. There are some surprising characters in this picture: for example a frightening personification of death. An intense film, if you ask me…

· Closely watched trains (1966) : a film from Czechoslovakian director Menzel. Basically it’s a film describing a young railway station apprentice’s embarking on a self-discovering journey. This young man is confronted with love, war, adventure and … frustration.

Other films on the agenda are: Le Quai des Brumes, The magnificent Ambersons, Accattone, The night of the hunter and L’Ascenseur pour l’échafaud. I’ll try to discuss them here as well. If you think there are any classics I should definitely add to my “to see” list, let me know!