Final answer:
Charles Chaplin's film 'City Lights' exemplifies his description of silent movies as 'visual poetry,' displaying distinctive features such as the mix of visual gags, comedy and tragedy, and profound social commentary delivered through mime and pantomime, which connected deeply with audiences without the need for dialogue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charles Chaplin once described silent movies as "visual poetry," which is highly evident in his film City Lights. Silent films like Chaplin's transcended the limitations of language and national boundaries, relying on expressive physicality and visual storytelling to evoke emotions and narrative. In City Lights, Chaplin continued to refine his art, delivering a rich emotional impact through the character of the Tramp who uses pantomime, subtle gestures, and facial expressions rather than dialogue.
The distinctive features of Chaplin's art in City Lights are numerous. The ingenious use of visual gags and the poignant mix of comedy and tragedy helped to build a deeper connection with the audience. Despite the advent of sound in cinema, Chaplin chose to stick with the silent format, creating an artistic resistance to the 'talkies' and emphasizing the universal appeal of silent storytelling. His mastery of cinematic techniques, such as creative camera angles and editing, allowed him to express complex ideas and emotions.
Incorporating social commentary into the narrative, Chaplin's City Lights portrays the stark contrasts of the Great Depression era, where the Tramp represents the common man. This reflects his genius in using visual poetry to tackle serious themes within a comedic framework. His ability to create pathos, while still engaging audiences with his charisma and humor, made Chaplin's work a powerful example of silent film as a captivating and sophisticated art form.