Be a Star in a Medford Silent Film!

Would you like to have a part in a silent film about Medford? Here is your chance!

Organizers of the “Balloons, Boats and Bunglers” event at Chevalier Theatre next month are adding a local touch to the evening of silent films that will kick off the fifth annual Arts Across Medford festival, a month-long series of events throughout the city.

As a nod to the festival theme of “Journey,” Medford residents are invited to submit short video clips of how they get around town, be it on foot, bicycle, skateboard, kayak, wheelchair, public transportation, driving – anything goes. The more unique the better!

The clips are being assembled into “Medford Journeys,” a silent film that will be accompanied at Chevalier Theatre on Friday night, Oct. 2, by internationally acclaimed organist Peter Krasinski.

Krasinski, who specializes in improvisational silent film accompaniment, will also provide the music for three silent classics that evening: the beloved French film “The Red Balloon,” Buster Keaton’s frolicking family voyage “The Boat,” and comical convicts Laurel & Hardy in “Liberty.”

Check out this YouTube video introducing the “Medford Journey” film, and get more details about submission guidelines on the Friends of Chevalier website of the Medford Journey Facebook page.

Participating is as easy as taking a short video clip (5 to 15 seconds) on your phone or digital camera and emailing the file to medfordjourneyfilm@gmail.com.

Submit as many clips as you like, but hurry – the deadline is Sept. 26!

Then come see the movie premiere at Chevalier at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 2. Tickets for “Balloons, Boats and Bunglers” are just $10 ($5 for ages 10 and under) and can be purchased in advance through Brown Paper Tickets; at Medford Electronics, 25 Salem St., during weekday business hours (9a-4p); and at the door.

See you at Chevalier!

– Submitted by Ken Krause