Tuesday night at the Alamo S. Lamar and we continue with the Essential Cinema Series of European emigre filmmakers. Tonight's film SUNRISE, directed by F.W. Murnau is a silent film from 1927. Abe and I approached this silent film with some reservation..."silent" is what had us less than enthusiastic. But boy were we so wrong in our initial reservation and so happy we experienced this gorgeous film. Dr. Charles Ramirez-Berg (a really popular and highly acclaimed UT professor of film) introduced the film and provided the notes. He prepared us for the German filmmaker's orientation toward film: to present the inner workings of the characters, their motivations, their desires, their contentment and their discontents, the construct of their psyches. (Abe whispered "ah, it's all so Freudian"). How right he was. With no words the actors communicated heartfelt, intense and raw feelings. A husband sins, he turns into a monster while rowing a boat and preparing to murder his wife. She begs for mercy and runs far away from him. She communicates her abhorrence for him. He is ashamed, so ashamed. She forgives. They have fun. The film goes from dark drama to all American fun with carnivals, city streets, restaurants, barbershops. And then the inevitable darkness is revisited in the form of a storm, out of everyone's control. There is a Hollywood ending (thank goodness). I couldn't have bared to lose these wonderful characters.
Dr. Ramirez-Berg pointed out that Murnau was an incredible humanist. There is no doubt about this. His actors bring you in to their world. You join them in their pain, their happiness, their fears, their shame. You're happy to be human, a part of this experience. I just loved this film!
In addition, Dr. Ramirez-Berg provided some history as a founding person of AFS with Chale Nafus. He talked about how much fun they all had when they first put AFS together: "Just a bunch of guys sitting around watching films." He talked about the joy of being with people who felt as passionately about something as you did. He recognized how much AFS has given us and asked us to say "hi" to Chale and thank him at the end of the films we see. This one's for you Chale: THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!! I hope you know how much we appreciate our Tuesday nights and more.
It sound spectacular; I can tell how much you loved it, since you did not seem to enjoy "The Artist" as much.
ReplyDeleteWill add it my list; sometimes Cathy can get and sometimes not.
Pam
It's intelligent, appreciative audience members like you and Abe that make it all so worthwhile and enjoyable. Thanks so much for your support. -- Chale
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