Silence of The Artist in India

It is time to enjoy some peace and quiet while kicking back and talking in the visual splendor of this year’s one of the strongest Oscar contenders, The Artist.

Releasing in India on Friday, this film is a tribute to the era of silent cinemas and it follows the story of a silent movie star, George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) and a young dancer Peppy Miller (Benerice Bejo) who idolizes George.

A compelling saga of two people through the various ups and downs of life, infused with a spritely touch and supported by some stunning performances sets this motion picture from director Michel Hazanavicius , a class apart.

In an age of technical innovations and over the top story telling makes this austere offering a striking contrast to its contemporaries, and brings back the nostalgia of the bicolor days.
Apart from the poignant narrative itself the film also offers insights about much known talkies revolution in film making that swept away the world of silent movies to oblivion leaving behind a trail of famous actors who could not accommodate with the changing realities of their time.

This French celluloid offering has already grabbed three Golden Globe awards along with seven BAFTA nominations and cinema enthusiasts believe that this year at the Academy Awards it could snatch the big one.

The movie was shown at two special screening in Mumbai film festival before its release which was followed by a terrific response from viewers and critics alike.

Now all that is left for us to see, is whether the Indian general audience that remains attached to long drawn soapy melodramas and action flicks, can appreciate such innovative film making or not. IBNS