A Trip to the Moon (1902)

Why it's included:
An iconic movie directed by Georges Méliès, that all film goers must watch at some point in their lives. It might as well be now.

Specs: 
Short (at about 10 minutes long) and easy to find online. Of course it's black and white and silent (as all will be for another 25 years).

Our family's average rating (on a scale of 1-10):
5.38

More about the film and our response to it:
The film is on the list primarily for the iconic and cultural experience. People interested in exploring film through time could not do better than to start here because it provides a great benchmark of what cinema was (and could be) in these very early days. Chances are this film will feel odd, even jarring, to you. Filmmakers have not yet perfected how to tell a story with a camera, the acting is not yet fluid, and there is a jumble of activity that makes the plot and action hard to follow. Neophyte viewers aren't likely to love it, but you are bound to find it amusing. And the special effects may even impress you. The film has a certain charm if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy what it has to offer.

As you start your festival, with this, or any other seriously old picture, it's important to set aside a time to start when everybody is on board with the project and in the right mood. Set yourself up for success!

One of the coolest things about watching very old movies is using that experience as a springboard into conversations about what was going on in the world (or hadn't happened yet) at this period in time. For instance, it is great to note that this film pre-dates the moon landing by 67 years! How much of Méliès vision is for comedic effect? and how much is based on complete lack of understanding about the nature of the moon?  It can be an amazing experience to watch a film that was made in 1902 and think how cinema has preserved this moment in time forever.

Iconic shot: