Modern Times, 1936, Charles Chaplin (c) Roy Export S.A.S.

Lecture

Charlie vs. Goliath

Chaplin's Political Films

Age 12 to 14
As a director and actor, Charles Chaplin developed a character who was both funny and politically relevant: Small Charlie, "the Tramp," fights policemen and bullies, machines and dictators. This was one of the character's core motives from Chaplin's early comedies to the politically motivated masterpieces Modern Times and The Great Dictator. Chaplin's films show us how cinema can be both funny and critical of the circumstances we live in while also offering us a utopian vision where the weak fight and win against the powerful. (nu&nz)

Presented by Natascha Unkart and Nikolaus Zeiner