By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Leave it to the French! With unerring flair, they always excel in all forms of art. Inventive, innovative and inspired, the French, perhaps more than any other people, have made a unique contribution to the art world, in all its branches. Their latest, most significant contribution, is the concept of the seventh art, the art of film. The Lumiere brothers, Louis and Auguste, are credited for first producing and projecting motion pictures. During the 1800s, many in Belgium, Great Britain, Germany and the US experimented with devices that would make pictures appear to move, but it was the French who first projected moving pictures publically on a screen in a Paris café on 28 December 1895. Filled with confidence, that often borders on audacity, the French have pulled down barriers and climbed tops of mountains, astounding the world with their endless creativity. Hollywood may have stolen some of their thunder during the 30s, with their major studios and technical excellence, but not in intensity and originality. The French are often envied for their polished form and sophisticated style. Their passion and artistic sense gave us Jacques Demy's "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", (1964), a risky proposition at best, that ultimately works with a courage that defies the superiority of the Hollywood musical. Its distinctive style has earned it a special chapter in motion picture history. Romantic love stories are produced by Hollywood on a regular basis, yet it is France's Claude Lelouch who gave us the poignant tale of "A Man and a Woman" (1966). The deep complexities of mature love between widow and widower, never looked better. Much of the development of the motion picture industry as an art form came from Europe. With a plethora of impressive films Europeans excelled in exploring their newly-found art. German filmmakers were noted for their brilliant photographic techniques during the silent era. When they immigrated to the US, they were largely responsible for Hollywood's early golden years. Now France is paying homage to the incomparable silent film, during that exciting period in motion picture history. Silent films were at the peak of their achievement before sound was introduced. The end however, was inevitable, but the first years of sound were actually a set-back in the artistic development of the cinema. In contrast to the brilliance of many silent films, the first"talkies" were stiff and starchy. Silent movies were shown side by side with talkies, and were often preferred by the viewers to their new younger sisters. In time, the talkies problems were solved, and the silent era was gone forevermore. That is, until the French decided to bring it back with "The Artist". This is the season when Hollywood critics review the year's crop of films, and reward the work of excellence. To everyone's surprise a little-known French production is on everybody' Best Ten list of 2011. "The Artist" is a "bonbon" of a film. It came out of nowhere, despite a Palme d'Or nod for Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival last May. With no major studio, exceptional publicity or superstars, it found its way to the top of the charts. Awards and accolades are pouring, and an effusive shower of superlatives, captivating the imagination of audiences, everywhere. The story of this silent film is the story of silent film. It is a historic chronicle of the volution of the silent movies into talkies, and the characters behind the transition. Auteur/director Michel Hazanavicius did extensive research about 1920s Hollywood to find the right techniques for the story. It took him four months to write the story of an aging movie star, George Valentin, (jean Dujardin), king of the silent screen in Hollywood, 1927. Along comes Peppy Miller, an eager starlet who hopes to land a role in his latest film. Valentin takes her under his wing, and love soon develops between them. Within a few short years, silent movies begin to fade. Valentin struggles to survive, while Peppy shines, becoming the 'queen of the talkies'. Now it is her turn to give him a hand. "The Artist" has its dark side, but it is mostly funny and charming, with an evocative musical score that fully captures the romance of the period. The question always asked of Hazanavicius, is why, in this action-packed, highly technical CGI era of supremacy, would anyone wish to make a silent film, 90 years after their demise? With sensational locations and beautiful costumes Hazanavicius provokes an eloquent silence that makes you forget all about dialogue. Watching "The Artist" is the best answer to that question. The film lays a firm grip on your heart, and never relents The amazing revelation is the talent of French actor Jean Dujardin ho well deserved his win at Cannes. His remarkable interpretation of the fading star leaves you awestruck, and if you are a dog-lover, Bojo, the four-legged member of the cast, gives a performance, the likes of which you have never seen before. When audiences stand up and applaud to a dark screen as the final credits roll, you know that it is a masterpiece, and an instant classic. It has already won three Golden Globe Awards, and as they say in Hollywood, if the Globes are here, can Oscar be far behind? Like a warm soufflé," The Artist" leaves you content and happy and longing for more. It rekindles the joy and magic of days that are no more. Si jeunesse savait/ Si vieillesse pouvait. (If the young only knew/ If the old only could). -- French saying
