This course invites you on a journey through one of the most fascinating yet often forgotten eras in the history of cinema: the silent era. We will explore this period from its origins to the beginnings of sound cinema, covering its most iconic films as well as uncovering surprising and lesser-known rarities. The goal is to bring this era closer to all film lovers and to rediscover a form of cinema whose influence can still be felt today.

The silent era of cinema, spanning from the medium’s origins in the late 19th century to the widespread adoption of sound in the late 1920s, represents a foundational stage in the development of cinematic language. Without spoken dialogue, filmmakers crafted a visual narrative based on image composition, editing, and the actors’ expressiveness. Through intertitles and live music, stories were told and emotions conveyed. This period saw major technical and aesthetic innovations and produced key figures such as Georges Méliès, D.W. Griffith, Buster Keaton, and F.W. Murnau.

Days: Saturdays, January 17, 24, and 31, and February 7 and 14, 2026. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Professor: Guillermo Triguero (Film critic and cinema historian). General price: €85. Retirees, students, unemployed and Culture Club: €70. Friends of the Museum of Cinema: €65. Under 30: €35 (limited seats, tickets available exclusively at the Museu del Cinema box office)