Off Cinema Festival

Yesterday I had an opportunity to see "Melody of the World" during the opening gala of the 18. International Documentary Film Festival "Off Cinema".  As the name of the festival suggests, it was a documentary movie from 1929 directed by Walther Ruttmann. The screening was accompanied by live orchestral music, which created a special atmosphere and made this whole experience even more magical.

"Melody of the World" was kind of diferent from what we nowadays consider a documentary. That film was divided into 3 acts. The main character was a young German sailor, who is going on the cruise. There wasn't any plot actually, it was more like a mix of pictures and short clips from his travel. It showed everyday situations from all different parts of the world, for example from England, India, Africa, Asia, presenting similarities and differences. And surprisingly, there were more similiarities! It was really interesting, because it proved that even though we are defined by cultures,  religions, habits ecc. in the end, we are actually all the same.

What really moved me was the fact, that this movie showed a world that doesn't exists anymore. I can assume that almost very person who appeared on the screen is dead right now. City streets of London or Beijing looks completely different nowadays. It was so amazing to be able to see all those old cars running down the Tower Bridge or the clothes that people were wearing then and just to see how much the world has changed. I have to admit that all those things combined with this november, cold evening gave me some nostalgic feelings and thoughts about the passing time. Anyways, I really enjoyed that screening.