SIFF: Saved from the Flames

[scarlettina]

A program of some of the earliest silent films, Saved from the Flames was hosted by film archivist Serge Bromberg, an entertaining and knowledgeable Frenchman who founded Lobster Films, which preserves the silents as they're found. The films included before and after footage of the Great San Francisco Earthquake, a beautiful hand-tinted version of the complete Georges Melies "A Trip to the Moon," and a showing of the early animated short, "Gertie the Trained Dinosaur," animated by Windsor McKay. Bromberg offered historical context, demonstrated just how flamable and therefore vulnerable nitrate film is, and played piano accompaniment to many of the films he showed. Delightful and educational evening, which I got to share with oldmangrumpus, varina8 and ironymaiden. So pleased to have such excellent company; part of what made it such a fine evening.