Foolish Wives - 1922 ***

If this film had been about half the length I really would have given it higher marks, because I found it a thrilling glimpse into 1920s silent film. However I'll be honest, my mind was drifting by the time I was 3/4 through. Von Stroheim is a master of his art, and the way he directed and starred in this made me desperate to see more of his work. It was incredibly refreshing to see how his characters interacted with each other and to see the passion in their faces as they performed. Interesting film of it's time.

The Smiling Madame Beudet - 1922 ***

A little known silent film from 1922, Madame Beudet's agonising look of despair and rejection speaks through decades of film. Trapped in a marriage with a selfish and stifling man who cares nothing for his wife's pursuits or interests and instead tries to smother her with his own problems she has hallucinations and recurring nightmares that she cannot escape.

An interesting 'feminist' film, and short enough to fit into an hour's break.