Under the title ‘Echoes of Buster Keaton. One hundred years of The driver of La General’ ‘Movie Nights’, the summer film cycle of the University of Valencia, return of 8 al 17 of July at the Cloister of the Cultural Center La Nau with a edition dedicated to one of the most influential figures in the history of seventh art: Buster Keaton. Coinciding with the centenary of the premiere of The driver of La General (The General, 1926), the festival offers a tour of the cinematic heritage of the American filmmaker through nine films, in original version with subtitles, scheduled in eight days.
All screenings will start at 22 hours and will be preceded by a presentation by critics, researchers and university professors, which will offer the contextual and analytical keys to each film. The films will be shown in original version with subtitles in Valencian or Spanish depending on the session. Entry is free until capacity is full.
The series will bring together some of Keaton's most representative works along with titles by directors who have collected and reinterpreted his influence over the decades, among which stand out Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Jacques Tati, Peter Bogdanovich, Richard Lester o Frank Tashlin.
The opening of the festival will take place on Wednesday 8 of July with the projection of The driver of La General (The General, 1926), directed by Buster Keaton i Clyde Bruckman, considered one of the great masterpieces of silent cinema and one of the most important comedies of all time. The projection, presented by Luis Pérez Ochando, will serve to commemorate the centenary of a key film in the history of cinema.
From here, the public will be able to discover different ways of understanding cinematic humor and visual comedy through a selection of films that demonstrate the validity of Keaton's legacy a century later.
Thursday 9 July will be the turn of The Purple Rose of Cairo (The Purple Rose of Cairo, 1985), of Woody Allen, one of the most celebrated films of the American director, which reflects on the boundaries between reality and fiction through the love of cinema. The presentation will be in charge of Rosanna Master.
friday day 10 of will be projected Mess in the department store (Who’s Minding the Store?, 1963), directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Jerry Lewis. The film is an outstanding display of physical and visual comedy that captures much of the heritage of silent cinema and the creative universe of Buster Keaton. The session will include the presentation of Juan Miguel Company.
The cycle will resume its activity on Sunday 12 of July with Silent Movie (1976), a fun declaration of love for silent cinema directed by Mel Brooks. The movie, practically no dialogues, is a contemporary tribute to the narrative and humorous forms of the great comics of the silent era. The presentation will be in charge ofIrene de Lucas.
Monday 13 will arrive what's wrong with me, doctor? (What’s Up, Doc?, 1972), of Peter Bogdanovich, one of the great comedies of the so-called "New Hollywood". With a frenetic pace and numerous chases and messes, the tape claims the spirit of classic North American comedy. The session will be entered by Antonia del Rey.
tuesday 14 July can be seen Playtime (1967), directed by Jacques Tati, a fundamental work of European cinema that combines visual humor, social criticism and an extraordinary staging. Considered one of the creative peaks of the French filmmaker, the film will be presented by Adela Cortijo.
The penultimate session of the cycle will take place on Thursday 16 of July with Golfus of Rome (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1966), directed by Richard Lester. Based on a popular Broadway musical, the film deploys irreverent humor and a visual style that connects with Keaton's comedic tradition. The presentation will be in charge ofAlberto Mira.
Finally, Friday 17 of July, 'En mut i en directe' will put the gold brooch on 'Cinema Nights' with a special silent film session presented by Jordi Revert. the evening, with a double projection, will include Film (1965), unique work in Keaton's career and a fundamental piece of the dialogue between cinema and literature of the 20th century. Created by Samuel Beckett i directed for Alan Schneider, Film is the Irish playwright's only original film foray and features Keaton as the protagonist.
The session will be completed with Sherlock Jr. (1924), one of the most innovative and admired creations of the American filmmaker Buster Keaton, which will be projected with thelive musical accompaniment of the Wildcat Quartet, integrated for Pierre Bastien, Mark Cunningham, Dr. Truna i Mike Cooper.
