The Artist
Michel Hazavinicius
France – 2011
Cast: Jean Dujardin (George Valentin), Bérénice Bejo (Peppy Miller), John Goodman (Al Zimmer), James Cromwell (Clifton), Penelope Ann Miller (Doris), Missi Pyle (Constance)
Screenplay: Michel Hazavinicius
Cinematography: Guillaume Schiffman
Production: Studio 37, La Petite Reine, La Classe Américaine, JD Prod France 3, Cinéma Jouror Productions, uFilm, Canal+, CinéCinéma, France Télévision, Le Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral de Belgique
Language: English, French
Duration: 100 min
Color: Black and White
Synopsis: It’s 1927 and Hollywood’s darling male lead George Valentin is enjoying the success of his latest picture, The Russian Affair. Peppy Miller, an aspiring young actress, accidentally bumps into Valentin at the premiere and plants a kiss on his cheek as they are surrounded by photographers. “Who’s that girl,” the press are quick to inquire. Perhaps it is thanks to this chance encounter that Miller gets her first break. Meanwhile the Kinograph Studio is transitioning to sound. Valentin finds the entire notion of ‘talkies’ vulgar, breaks off his contract, and decides to produce and direct his own silent motion picture. Always on the lookout for fresh faces, Kinograph offers Peppy Miller a role in their talking pictures and her career takes off. Valentin’s film on the other hand is a complete flop, and just as the Great Depression hits hardest, he is bankrupt. Miller, however, has not forgotten what Valentin did for her career, and offers her help, though, now that his star has set, he has to decide where and how he fits into the Hollywood dream machine.