Festival du Cinéma muet d'Anères: Tribute to Douglas Fairbanks #2 Flirting with Fate

Dive into the dazzling world of early silent cinema with “Flirting with Fate,” a 1916 American comedy that showcases Douglas Fairbanks in a lighter, more vulnerable role than his usual swashbuckling parts. In this 46‑minute, DCP‑released gem, Fairbanks plays August Holliday, a penniless, depressed artist who hires a reluctant killer—“Automatic Joe”—to end his misery for a single fifty‑dollar fee. The plan spirals into absurdity as a cascade of misunderstandings thrusts August into a whirlwind of comedic chaos, leaving him in a perpetual state of awkward escape and existential dread. Christy Cabanen’s tribute collection brings this classic to life in its original version, complete with French subtitles. The film brilliantly balances a whimsical, almost imperceptible rhythm with the unforgiving mechanics of miscommunication, positioning Fairbanks at the forefront of American silent comedy’s golden age. Prepare to laugh, gasp, and marvel as Fairbanks’ charismatic charm navigates an unpredictable plot full of surprising twists, naughty irony, and an endearing hero who evolves from confident roguishness to be‑in‑the‑moment vulnerability. Experience how this timeless spectacle and its fair command of fantasy, bitterness, and buoyancy continue to resonate—just in time for your next film‑lover gathering or trench‑style viewing party.