Bristol UK hosts Comedy Festival ( 17th-20th January 2008) which is a festival of silent films that champion the slapstick tradition. This festival was be attended widely and mostly attended by 18 to 24s who are ‘rediscovering’ this old silent footage including Charlie Chaplin’s GOLD RUSH, Laurel and Hardy classic LEAVE EM LAUGHING and Buster Keaton’s comedy shorts.
“I want to see him get hurt but I don’t..” says a university male 23 in a depth interview conducted by INSIDE STORY talking about the attraction of Jackass. Jackass has defined what many males under 23 continue to like in entertainment. On its website it warns: MTV's hit show Jackass features silly pranks, absurd antics and idiotic stunts performed by total jackasses. Leading the sick and twisted pack of sadomasochists was Johnny Knoxville.
Silent film slackstick has similar if more ‘gentle’ appeal and is emerging as something for
Generation Y to make their own.
Slapstick is defined (wikipedia) as a comedy that involves exaggerated physical violence. The slapstick tradition can be identified in Ren and Stimpy and may be considered to be part of the appeal of the SIMPSONs (in a toned down way). Silent film hasn’t had a significant profile for adult Baby Boomers and Gen Xers.
Three Stooger Mo’s ear pulling and eye poking behavior towards Curlie and other silent film pranks may seem inappropriate in today’s climate where stamping out school and workplaces bullies is a priority – yet bullies seem likely to continue to thrive today as ever.
At the Bristol festival T Shirts (see earlier T-shirt blog) are for sale and make a perfect way to continue to share in the fun – a fun that is more like being ‘naughty’ than really mean or ‘bad’.
