Life & Deaths of Max Linder

Concorso Internazionale

Synopsis:

“Life & Deaths of Max Linder,” a feature film by Polish director Edward Porembny, tells the forgotten story of Max Linder, the first international silent film star, often overlooked despite his profound impact on cinematic history. Celebrated in Europe and the U.S. for his charm and ingenious boulevardier personality, Linder won millions of viewers on both continents, directly influencing Charlie Chaplin in creating his famous alter ego. The documentary explores the actor’s dramatic life, from his extraordinary affairs to the tragic double suicide with his wife, an event that marked the end of his brilliant career. Why has such an influential figure been forgotten? “Life & Deaths of Max Linder” seeks to answer this question, offering an in-depth look at a silent film icon and the tragic personal events that contributed to his obscurity over time.

TRAILER

Director:  Edward Porembny
Production:  AMP Polska
Producer:  Edward Porembny
Editing:  Aia Ase
Cinematography:  Joo Joosberens
Lenght:  100′
Country: Poland, France, United States
Year:  2024

Director’s notes:

Max starred in more than three hundred films playing “Max”, a bumbling socialite, always debonair and always in trouble due to his unrelenting penchant for beautiful women and la dolce vita. Max left all his films to his brother Maurice. Jealous of Max’s fame and fortune, Maurice dug a giant hole in his backyard and buried all the films. And with them, he buried the legacy of Max Linder for all time. When I found out about that, I vowed to myself that I would do everything possible to change this situation.