Le Silence est D'or (1947): South West Silents

Dir: René Clair (France), 106m.

This romantic comedy takes a nostalgic look at early French silent cinema, with much of the action centred on a film studio around the year 1906. Maurice Chevalier plays a director who encourages his timorous young protégé (François Périer) to emulate his carefree attitude to women. However, they become rivals in love for Madeleine (Marcelle Derrien) who has been offered a job at the studio. Clair’s first film on his return to France after being exiled to the USA, this has the wit and elegance associated with his pre-war period.

Introduced by Bryony Dixon: 

Bryony Dixon is a curator with responsibility for the BFI National Archive’s extensive silent film collection. She has researched and written on many aspects of early and silent film, as well as programming for a variety of specialist film festivals and events worldwide. Her book 100 Silent Films, in the BFI…