Before films found their voice, silence was the soul of cinema. Stories unfolded in black and white and the only dialogue was the one between the screen and our hearts. There were no words – just glances, gestures and music that filled the air. Sometimes a lone piano. Sometimes a full orchestra. Or even Thailand’s own trae wong (traditional brass band).
By the 1910s and 1920s, silent film had blossomed into an art form. Directors like Charlie Chaplin, F.W. Murnau and Yasujirō Ozu crafted stories so rich in emotion, they didn’t need dialogue – just images and atmosphere that spoke straight to the heart. Black and white may no longer be the norm, but it’s still a powerful creative choice. And for new generations of movie lovers, this is a rare chance to experience that magic all over again.
Over the past years, the Thai Film Archive has welcomed some of the world’s finest silent film accompanists, including Maud Nelissen from the Netherlands and Japan’s Mie Yanashita both known for their live performances that breathe life into these films.
Now, the ninth edition of the Silent Film Festival is set to return to Sala Cinema at the Thai Film Archive (Public Organisation) on Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road. Co-presented by the Thai Film Archive and the Thai Film Foundation, with support from the Department of Cultural Promotion, this year’s festival continues to honour the silent cinema featuring masterworks from both East and West.
The full programme will be revealed soon.
For now, save the dates of 5-7 September 2025. Stay classic. Let silence speak again.