Under the title “The acting legacy of Buster Keaton. A hundred years of The General”, “Nits de cinema” (Cinema Nights), the Summer film series of the Universitat de València, comes back from 8 to 17 July at the Senate of La Nau, with an edition dedicated to one of the most influential figures of the history of the seventh art: Buster Keaton. Coinciding with the centenary of “The General” premiere (1926), the series proposes a journey through the cinematographic heritage of the American film-maker through nine films, in original version with subtitles, programmed in eight sessions.

All projections will start at 10pm and will be preceded by a presentation carried out by critics, researchers and university teachers. They will offer contextual and analytical keys of every film. Films will be projected in original version with Valencian or Spanish subtitles, depending on the session. Entrance is free with limited capacity.

'Nits de Cinema' will gather some of the most representative works of Keaton, along with director titles that have collected and reinterpreted his influence through the decades, such as Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Jacques Tati, Peter Bogdanovich, Richard Lester, Frank Tashlin or Jerry Lewis. 

The inauguration of this film series is taking place on Wednesday, 8 July with the projection of The General (1926), directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman. It is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of silent cinema, and one of the most important comedies in history. The screening, presented by Luis Pérez Ochando, will serve to commemorate the centenary of a key film in the history of cinema.

From there, the audience will discover new ways of understanding cinematographic humour and visual comedy through a selection of films that prove the validity of Keaton’s legacy a century later.

On Thursday, 9 July, the session will be for The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) from Woody Allen. It is one of the most celebrated films of the American director, which reflects upon the limits of reality and fiction through love for cinema. The presentation will be carried out by Rosanna Mestre.

On Saturday, 11 July, Who’s Minding the Store? (1963) will be projected. This film is directed by Frank Tashlin and it is starring Jerry Lewis.  It is a prominent example of physical and visual comedy that brings together a great part of the silent film heritage and the creative universe of Buster Keaton. The session will have the presentation of Juan Miguel Company.

The series will resume the activity on Sunday 12 July with Silent Movie (1976), a fun declaration of love to silent films, directed by Mel Brooks. The film, practically without dialogues, constitutes a contemporary tribute to narrative and humoristic forms of the greatest comedians of the silent era. The presentation will be carried out by Irene de Lucas.

On Monday, 13 July, What’s Up, Doc? (1972) will take place. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, it is one of the greatest comedies of the so-called “New Hollywood”. With a frenetic pace and numerous hunts and trouble, the film defends the spirit of classical American comedy. The session will be introduced by Antonia del Rey.

On Tuesday, 14 July, the session is for Playtime (1967), directed by Jacques Tati, a fundamental work of European cinema that combines visual humour, social critique, and an extraordinary mise-en-scène. Considered one of the creative summits of the French film-maker, the film will be presented by Adela Cortijo.

The second-to-last session of this series will take place on Thursday, 16 July, with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966), by Richard Lester. Based on a popular musical comedy of Broadway by Stephen Sondheim, the film shows an irreverent humour and a visual style that connects the comic tradition of Keaton. The presentation is carried out by Alberto Mira.

Last but not least, on Friday, 17 July, “On mute and live” will be the finishing touch of “Nits de Cinema” with a special session of silent cinema presented by Jordi Revert. The night event, with a double projection, includes Film (1965), a unique work in the career path of Keaton, and a fundamental part of the dialogue between cinema and literature of the 20th century. Created by Samuel Beckett and directed by Alan Schneider, Film is the only original cinematographic foray of the Irish dramatist. It also has Keaton playing as the main character.

The session will conclude with Sherlock Jr. (1924), one of the most innovative and admired works of Keaton. It will be projected with a live music accompaniment of Wildcat Quartet, integrated by Pierre Bastien, Mark Cunningham, Dr Truna and Mike Cooper.

Organised by the Office of the Vice-rector for Culture, Sports and Social Engagement of the Universitat de València, through the UV Cinema Club, ‘Nits de Cinema’ is a series that celebrates its 26th edition in 2026 and that this year counts again with the collaboration of the College of Art and Design of València (EASD) with a design of the series poster, made by the students Lyuboslava Georgieva Angelova.