KYOTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Alice Guy (1873-1968) was the world's first female filmmaker, who in 1896 made the world's first fiction film, La Fée aux Choux (The Fairy of the Cabbages).
However, she is little known compared to her contemporaries the Lumière Brothers, Edison, and Méliès.
Many people may have heard of her through the screening of Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (official selection at the 71st Cannes Film Festival and winner of the Best Documentary Award at the 15th Vancouver International Women in Film Festival) last September at the Demachiza and other venues.
This year marks the 150th anniversary of Alice Guy's birth. Five films made by Alice during her time in the U.S. will be screened with commentary by Raiko Sakamoto and piano performance by Haruka Amamiya.

The Pathé-Baby was born in 1922 and came to Japan in 1923. It has been 100 years since the first amateur films were made.
There are still images that captured the era in home movies in addition to those in dramatic films. We have gathered valuable footage from these images and will view them with live accompaniment.

This is a masterful short film considered to have established the worldwide popularity of the legendary comedy king of film history, Harold Lloyd, who was born 130 years ago as of this year! In this work, the extremely talented pianist Michiyo Matsushita, who learned jazz at Berklee and is accompanied by the highly experienced silent film narrator Akiko Sasaki, elegantly elevates the film across generations. Furthermore, Toshiya Arano from the Comedy Film Research Society intertwines valuable archival footage, providing insights into the conditions of the film industry conditions at the time, the genesis of Lloyd's comedy, and his private achievements.

This is a historical masterpiece produced and presented by the legendary figure in film history, the "Stone-Faced Comedy King" Keaton himself, through his own production. It became a massive hit worldwide! It's a must-see, filled with highlights, transitioning from "Mystery in the Open Sea" to "Thrilling Adventures," offering a fantasy experience for adults. Eri Kozaki, who made her debut in silent film piano accompaniment during her studies at the Paris National Higher Music Institute in 2007, performed at the strade del cinema2008 film festival in Italy. This time, with full enthusiasm, she revives the spirit of Keaton's comedy with a new approach!