In May, the Centre for Assistance and Development of Movie Talents (TPD) will screen a number of selected black-and-white movies that are considered top-notch classic productions in world cinema.

A scene from the 1927 movie Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (also known as Sunrise) by German director F.W. Murnau. — Photo silentfilm.org

In the first week, on Friday, May 4, the centre will present Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (also known as Sunrise) by German director F.W. Murnau.

Premiered in 1927, the drama/romance silent film stars George O’Brien, Janet Gaynor, and Margaret Livingston. Its script was adapted from the short story The Excursion to Tilsit by Hermann Sudermann.

Director Murnau chose to use the then new Fox Movietone sound-on-film system, making Sunrise one of the first feature films with a synchronized musical score and sound effects soundtrack. The film features Charles Gounod’s 1872 composition Funeral March of a Marionette, which was later used as the theme for the television series Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–65). Frédéric Chopin’s A minor prelude also features in the movie in orchestral arrangement.

Sunrise won the Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Picture at the 1st Academy Awards in 1929. Janet Gaynor won the first Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film. The film has been widely considered a masterpiece. Many have called it the greatest film of the silent era.

The silent film will be presented with English and Vietnamese subtitles.

The screening will start at 7.30pm. TPD is at 51 Trần Hưng Đạo Street (4th floor), Tel: (024) 39366559. Donation (at the door): VNĐ20,000/person. Seats are assigned on the first-come-first-served basis. — VNS