Certainly one of the most talked about films of the year since its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival is THE ARTIST, the latest work from the director-actor combo of Michel Hazanavicius and Jean Dujardin (who won Best Actor at Cannes), the pair that brought us the great OSS 117 secret agent parodies. THE ARTIST is a more serious, but no less entertaining work that has been getting a slew of great reviews and just today led the Golden Globes nominations with six, including best actor, best director, best actress (the lovely Berenice Bejo), best screenplay, and, of course, best film (musical or comedy).
Part of what makes THE ARTIST such an unusual and worthy effort is that it tells the story of the golden age of Hollywood as if it were a film from the era--a black-and-white, silent film shot in Los Angeles despite it being a French production. It's a beautiful, touching movie that features some fun cameos from the likes of John Goodman, James Cromwell, Malcolm McDowell, Missi Pyle, and Penelope Ann Miller. And I feel relatively certain that as I finish compiling my Best of 2011 list, it will end up somewhere in the top 10.
I've got 40 reserved seats to give away to an advanced Chicago screening of THE ARTIST on Monday, December 19 at 6:00pm (please note the early start time) at a theater in downtown Chicago (the exact location will only be given to those who win). Here's how you win tickets:
Send me an email at ArtistChicago@aintitcoolmail.com (please note the new email address) with the subject line "Silent Films Rock!" (exactly like that). In the body of the email, I need your Name, whether or not you're bringing a Guest (guests' names are not required), and the answer to the following question (read carefully): "What is your favorite film of the Silent Era, and why?" I'm looking for title and your reason for choosing it. Keep your responses BRIEF--limit it to 50 words (no matter how tempted you are to go over the limit). People with the most interesting and original answers win. Winners will be notified very soon.
Although this is not an exclusive AICN event, winners' seats will be held until 15 minute before showtime (5:45pm), at which time any empty seats will be given away. So you should arrive early to make sure you get in and get a good seat. If you can't arrive early, don't enter this contest. If there's even the slightest chance you or your guest will have to back out of attending if you do win, don't enter. If you have a job that might make you late or unable to attend, or an ill/pregnant relative, or a temperamental significant other, or a scratchy throat, do not enter.
Good luck, everyone! And thanks to The Weinstein Company for giving us this very fun screening.
