1927. The era of silent films is gone and the era of sound movies, the talkies, arrives. Hollywood silent movie star George Valentin falls for young Peppy Miller, who he meets by chance. He slowly loses his popularity because of his loyalty to the old movie style, while she quickly rises to fame. [The Artist] is witty homage to silent movies. You will smile at the comical inferences to the early masterpieces and the film’s black and white cinematography and utter lack of dialogue is never an imposition. It has perfectly reproduced Hollywood in the late 1920s, even more impressive for its French pedigree and French actors. Cannes Best Actor winner Jean Dujardin received acclaim for his pitch-perfect performance and look reminiscent of classic American actors like Vincent Price. Amid the merry subject and cheerful music, it doesn’t forget to reflect upon art and cinema?indirectly asking the question, “What is an artist?” (RHEE, Soue-won)