Chaplin's the Tramp centennial

In recognition of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October, Film Fest Gent will screen 'The Gold Rush' (1925), in collaboration with OCMW Ghent at City Hall. Each year different organizations from Ghent join forces to honour the victims of poverty, exclusion and violence at the Statue of Human Rights at the St. Peter's Square. Other activities are also organised at Ghent City Hall.

Patrick Duynslaegher, artistic director of Film Film Fest: "The reason why we are celebrating Charles Chaplin explicitly this year, immediately clarifies to what he owes his worldwide fame and immortality to: 2014 is not a commemoration of his birth (1889) or the year of his death (1977), but the year in which he created the character of 'The Tramp'."

Chaplin was a moderately well known British vaudeville star when he signed a contract in January 1914 to appear in a few slapstick movies of Mack Sennett’s American production company Keystone Studios. Eventually he would act in 35 shorts and a feature film in twelve months time for Sennett. He appeared in the short film 'Kids Auto Races' at Venice, Cal. for the first time as 'The Tramp', a character that would make him world famous. 'The Tramp', also a gentleman, is a poet and a dreamer, a lonely man who's always hoping for some romance and adventure.