I am still endlessly delighted that I’m here for the Silent Film Live Festival. It makes me want to come back next year? Seeing these films (for free!) in a historic theater with a live theatre organ, piano, and harpsichord is just so, so fun. Last night was my favorite of the bunch: The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr. West in the Land of the Bolsheviks.

This Soviet film operates on so many levels. It is a satire that addresses American stereotypes of Bolsheviks (or, at last, Soviets’ perception of American stereotypes), all the while employing their own stereotypes about Americans. It ends, of course, with everyone agreeing that Lenin and Communism are both incredible, but before that there is a lot goofy intrigue. I mean, just look at one of the main antagonists:

That face!!! If she were alive (at 127 years old), I’d say book Aleksandra Khokhlova to host SNL!

It is itself a satire of American film tropes! There are fist fights and car chases and romance and good triumphing over evil. I think this film shares a significant amount of DNA with the Fast and Furious franchise, to be quite honest.

I have four days left in Berlin, and it sort of feels like I live here now? Maybe I could make an extended stay in Berlin a yearly or bi-yearly thing………………………. 🤔. I wonder if I could bring the cats lol (I know I can’t).