Sidewalk Stories 15

Sidewalk Stories has all the elements of the great silent comedies: physical grace, perfect timing and sly social commentary. Most of all, it’s very, very funny. The difference: Sidewalk Stories wasn’t made in 1919, but 1989. This Reagan-era reimagining of Chaplin’s The Kid was cited by Michel Hazanavicius as a key inspiration for his Oscar-winning film The Artist. Just like The Kid, Sidewalk Stories tells the story of an unlikely father-daughter pairing. The lead (played by the film’s director, Charles Lane) is charged with the care of a toddler when her father is stabbed to death. Fearing he will be framed by the police for the murder, he flees the scene with the child. Full of fantastic set pieces, Sidewalk Stories doesn’t just pay tribute to silent comedy, but also adds a major new chapter to it.

Comedy Genius is a nationwide celebration of comedy on screen, led by BFI, the Independent Cinema Office and BFI Film Audience network, supported by funds from the National Lottery. For more screenings go to bficomedy.co.uk. #bficomedy