The season of the Oscar, Cesar and other cinematographic awards has started.
YES!
Movies are magical. The art, creativity, and techniques involved are worthy of admiration, both for the work in front and behind the camera, and whatever big or small the production’s budget is. Film production is so increasingly complex and demanding too!
And yet, some time ago I felt that the golden period of cinema was in the past, that there was there is something undeniably more special in the old movies, like the ones from the 50’s. Some actors simply had a diversity of skills on the screen that I found astonishing. Let’s take Gene Kelly. In 1955, he was acting, singing and tap dancing on roller skates. Honestly, check the video below, what is not to applaud?!
And for another glance at his dancing skills:
Of course, most of the actors from the 50’s did not combine all his talents, but I wondered if any actors could ever reach the iconic status of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, James Dean, and the list goes on! The Legends of yesterday: could they ever be matched? Or am I brushing the past with a stroke of gold paint?
A few movies and TV shows soon dismissed those doubts, and the mash-up video below confirmed it: the talent of the current actors is undeniable. They make us cry and laugh, hold our breaths in suspense, and keep us on the edge of my seat. They master a total transformation into complex characters, turning themselves into a new person with every role. They adjust to the new technology, learn new skills and pushes their limits with each production. So what if they do not reach the status of ‘movie legends’, or if they do not have the same diverse skills as the previous generations. They have others! Time changes, styles change, the film and television industry have adjusted. I might have a soft spot for the glamour, elegance, and class of old movies, the talented actors and actresses on our screens today have my admiration.
So to all of you creators of these works of art – past, present and future – thank you for riveting us on our seats.
Thank you for reading, and enjoy the uplifting video below!
Yours, Virginie