Date: 13 November 2024
Time: 10:30am to 3:00pm
Location: BFI Southbank
Event details
Suitable for all KS5 film students, this study day offers insights into the aesthetics of different silent film movements, including German expressionism, Soviet montage, constructivism and surrealism, as well as how these influenced early Hollywood cinema.
Films used will include: Sunrise (1927), The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (1920), Man With A Movie Camera (1929) and the films of Buster Keaton including The General (1929) and Cops (1922). We will examine these films’ innovative aesthetic styles and provide clear explanations of the historical, social and cultural contexts that influenced them.
In the afternoon, we will screen Sunrise — A Song of Two Humans (1927) with live piano accompaniment by Neil Brand, followed by a Q&A.
Neil has been a silent film accompanist for over 30 years, he regularly performs throughout the UK and at film festivals and special events around the world. He has inaugurated the School of Music and Image to teach up-and-coming young pianists about silent film accompaniment.
Our in-venue events take place in one of the BFI’s auditoriums, school groups are encouraged to engage in an interactive lecture where learning activities using clips are designed to pique interest. Students are supported to share their thoughts and ideas helping to build confidence and deepen understanding.
Booking information
To book this study day, you can call 0207 849 4451 and pay by credit or debit card. You can also download, print and return the form below with cheque or card details.
You should book by 4pm at least two working days before the event. However, we recommend booking earlier to avoid disappointment.
Prices
The study day costs £12.50 per student.
Accompanying teachers and adults cost £12.50 each, unless there are five students (or over), then it costs £1 per five students.
Teachers attending without students cost £40.
If your school has over 20% of students getting free school meals, you should ask about a discount when you book.
We cannot send invoices or accept BACS payments for these courses.
For any queries, please email schools@bfi.org.uk.