Buster Keaton, Part 1
Inventive, a daredevil, touching, hilarious, Buster Keaton was all of these things at once, and revolutionized burlesque comedy of the early 20th century, during the same era as Charlie Chaplin. His introverted but reckless character, forever impassible and searching for love, would bring him great notoriety. The Keaton Project, led by the Bologna Film Library and Cohen Films, allows us to dive into his work, currently under restoration. Silent films accompanied by music to discover with the whole family.
Cine-concert screenings are marked CC.
Retrospective made possible thanks to Cineteca di Bologna and Cohen Film Collection
The Buster Keaton retrospective presented at the Lumière festival 2016 is supported by BNP Paribas.
Feature films
Our Hospitality by Buster Keaton and Jack Blystone (1923, 1h05)
Willy is invited by his beloved to have dinner with her family. The latter hates Willy, but the laws of hospitality prevent any bad behavior toward their guest... A riotous succession of acrobatic gags at a frantic pace.
Institut Lumière Sun 9 at 12pm - CC | Pathé Bellecour Sat 15 at 2:15pm - CC
Seven Chances by Buster Keaton (1925, 56min)
An attorney announces a fabulous inheritance to James, which the latter may benefit from, if he is married by the day of his 21st birthday… that very day! Keaton lines up countless pitfalls to maximum comedic effect.
Dardilly Sun 9 at 5pm - CC l Institut Lumière | Wed 12 at 9:45am - CC l Pathé Bellecour Sun 16 at 11:15am - CC
The General by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman (1926, 1h07)
Johnnie Gray has two loves, Annabelle and his locomotive. The Civil War breaks out. Johnnie wants to enlist, but it is understood that he is more useful as a mechanic ... Keaton's favorite work, a monument of burlesque.
CNP Terreaux Sun 9 at 5:30pm l Francheville Wed 12 at 8:30pm - CC l Pathé Bellecour Sun 16 at 4:45pm - CC
Steamboat Bill, Jr. by Buster Keaton and Charles Reisner (1928, 1h10)
Willy, son of the owner of an old boat, is in love with the daughter of his father competitor, the owner of the gleaming boat, King... Keaton, in Olympic form, demonstrates how to turn gags into an exact science.
UGC Astoria Sun 9 at 3pm l Meyzieu Wed 12 at 4pm - CC l Pathé Bellecour Sat 15 at 4pm - CC
The Cameraman by Buster Keaton and Edward Sedgwick (1928, 1h16)
Luke, street photographer, decides to become a news operator after meeting the beautiful Sally... A race in New York, a Chinatown brawl and a swimsuit theft in this comedy flick, Keaton's greatest success.
Comoedia Tue 11 at 11am l Villeurbanne Thu 13 at 8:30pm l Pathé Bellecour Fri 14 at 6:45pm - CC
Buster Keaton Program 1
One Week by Malec de Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline (1920, 25min)
A young couple is building a house... from a kit! A challenge, especially when the groom's rival decides to "amend" the number of necessary crates... The gags are sheer perfection in this first solo work by Keaton.
Followed by
Sherlock Jr. by Buster Keaton (1924, 45min)
A young projectionist puts into practice the advice of his manual "How to become a detective" when his beloved's father has his watch stolen... The third feature film by Keaton, his most poetic.
Auditorium de Lyon Tue 11 at 8pm - CC
Buster Keaton Program 2
The High Sign by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline (1920, 20min)
The Paleface by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline (1921, 20min)
The Play House by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline (1923, 23min)
Cops by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline (1922, 18min)
Four short films: an unemployed man mistaken for a sniper; dreams of glory of a small stage hand; a butterfly chaser becomes head of an Indian tribe; a jilted lover has the whole police department after him... The beginnings of Keaton in his trademark hilarious characters: high art!
Pathé Bellecour Fri 14 at 2pm - CC | Saint-Genis-Laval Sun 16 at 3:30pm - CC
