Shooting Stars(1928)

If asked to name a great film about filmmaking, I would imagine that most people will likely mention at least one of the following: Day For Night, Sunset Blvd, 8½, Singin’ In The Rain, The Bad And The Beautiful, The Player, Once Upon A Time In America, Postcards From The Edge, A Star Is Born, Ed Wood etc. I think that few, if any at all, would mention Shooting Stars(1928). This little-known British silent, with its playful title which has two completely different meanings, is not only one of the best films about making films, but it has also become my favourite silent film. It is part love letter to cinema and part satire. It is also the earliest film I am aware of in which a director so mercilessly turns the camera on their own industry in order to expose its inner workings to the audience. Almost one hundred years on from its release, Shooting Stars remains an exciting and visually interesting gem, helmed by a young director who wanted to shake things up for both his colleagues and…