TICMF Silent Film Festival ProgramMetropolis (1927), directed by Fritz Lang, is a groundbreaking German silent science fiction film set in a dystopian future where society is sharply divided between a privileged upper class and oppressed workers who toil underground to sustain the city. The story follows Freder, the son of the city’s mastermind Joh Fredersen, as he discovers the grim realities of the working class and joins forces with Maria, a compassionate activist, to bridge the divide between the classes. Amidst revolutionary tensions and the creation of a destructive robot double of Maria, the film explores themes of class struggle, technology, and the need for understanding and empathy, famously concluding that “the mediator between the head and the hands must be the heart.”Original score created by Jesse Carmichael, most famously co-creator of the band Maroon 5, as well as composer for Thrive and Have You Heard About Greg?One Week (1920) is a silent comedy short film starring and co-directed by Buster Keaton, which follows the chaotic misadventures of a newlywed couple attempting to build their prefabricated "do-it-yourself" house. After receiving the house kit as a wedding gift, the couple's plans go hilariously awry when a jealous rival sabotages the instructions, leading to a wildly misshapen, structurally absurd home. As they struggle to complete the house amid a series of physical gags and escalating disasters, Keaton’s trademark deadpan humor and inventive stunt work showcase the comedic potential of everyday mishaps. The film is celebrated for its creativity, timing, and Keaton's mastery of visual storytelling.Original score created by Jeff Cardoni, composer for television hits such as Young Sheldon, Ghosts, Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off and many more.Downhill (1927), directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Ivor Novello, is a silent drama that follows the tragic descent of a privileged young man, Roddy Berwick, whose life unravels after he nobly takes the blame for a scandal to protect a friend. Expelled from school and estranged from his family, Roddy spirals into a series of misfortunes—from working as a waiter in a seedy Parisian dance hall to suffering emotional and psychological breakdowns. As he drifts further from his former life, the film explores themes of honor, betrayal, and societal hypocrisy. Hitchcock uses expressive visual techniques and symbolic imagery to portray Roddy's emotional downfall and eventual return, highlighting the destructive power of false morality and lost identity.Original score created by William Ross, composer and arranger perhaps best known for his collaborations with legendary artists such as John Williams, Barbra Streisand, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, and countless others. William Ross is composer for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, The Little Rascals, and many more films.Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925) is a silent epic directed by Fred Niblo and based on Lew Wallace's novel, blending grand spectacle with spiritual redemption. Set in ancient Rome and Judea, the film follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince betrayed by his childhood friend Messala and condemned to slavery. After years of hardship, including a dramatic sea battle and his triumphant rise as a charioteer, Ben-Hur seeks revenge but ultimately finds peace and forgiveness through encounters with Jesus Christ. Renowned for its massive sets, elaborate action sequences—especially the iconic chariot race—and religious undertones, the film remains a landmark in silent cinema, reflecting themes of faith, justice, and salvation.Original score created by Sean Callery, composer for television hits such as Halo, 24, Homeland, Designated Survivor, and many more.–INTERMISSION–Safety Last! (1923), directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor and starring Harold Lloyd, is a classic silent comedy renowned for its thrilling blend of humor and daredevil stunts. The film follows a small-town young man who moves to the big city to make a name for himself and impress his sweetheart. Struggling to succeed, he concocts a publicity stunt involving a human fly climbing a skyscraper to attract business to the department store where he works. A series of comedic misadventures forces him to scale the building himself, leading to the film’s iconic climax where Lloyd dangles precariously from a clock face high above the city. Combining romance, slapstick, and suspense, Safety Last! epitomizes the daring spirit and innovation of silent-era filmmaking.Music performed by Elvis Presley.Why Worry? (1923), directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor and starring Harold Lloyd, is a silent comedy that follows the misadventures of a wealthy but hypochondriac businessman named Harold Van Pelham. Believing himself to be gravely ill, Harold travels to a tropical island seeking rest, only to find himself caught in the middle of a local revolution. Through a series of comedic mishaps, he teams up with a gentle giant named Colosso and inadvertently becomes a hero by quelling the uprising. Filled with clever gags, lighthearted satire, and Lloyd’s signature physical comedy, the film humorously contrasts Harold’s imagined ailments with real danger, ultimately delivering a message about self-reliance and resilience.Original score created by Jeff Cardoni, composer for television hits such as Young Sheldon, Ghosts, Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off and many more.Toccata for Toy Trains (1957), directed by the celebrated design duo Ray and Charles Eames, is a visually poetic short film that celebrates the charm and craftsmanship of antique and handmade toy trains. Set to a baroque-style score by Elmer Bernstein, the film eschews realism in favor of a whimsical journey through miniature worlds populated by tin, wood, and cast-iron toys from a bygone era. With meticulous camera work and a deep appreciation for the beauty of design, the Eameses use the film to highlight the imaginative and stylized nature of toys, suggesting that they often capture the spirit of life more effectively than literal representations. The result is a nostalgic, artful tribute to play, motion, and timeless creativity.Original score created by Oscar-winner Elmer Bernstein, composer of such iconic films like The Magnificent Seven, Ghostbusters, To Kill a Mockingbird, and many more.The Lost World (1925), directed by Harry O. Hoyt and based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel, is a groundbreaking silent adventure film that follows a daring expedition to a remote plateau in South America, where prehistoric creatures still roam. Led by the eccentric Professor Challenger, the team—including a skeptical journalist and a brave explorer—discovers a world teeming with dinosaurs brought to life through pioneering stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien. As tensions rise and dangers mount, the group must find a way to survive and return to civilization with proof of their incredible discovery. Blending science fiction, adventure, and early visual effects wizardry, The Lost World set a new standard for cinematic spectacle and paved the way for future monster and fantasy films.Original score created by Sherri Chung, composer for television hits such as Gremlins, Riverdale, Batwoman, and many others.