|
16. Silent Film Festival: Mysteries
|
16. SILENT FILM FESTIVAL: MYSTERIES
December, 3-6 2015 
The 16th Silent Film Festival will take place from the 3rd to the 6th of December at Kino Pod Baranami. It is an extraordinary film and music event, which recalls the golden era of silent cinema and shows that contemporary audiences are eager to rediscover this moment in film history. The organizers of the Festival will bring silent cinema masterpieces from all over the world here to Krakow. This year's festival, celebrating the 120th anniversary of cinema, is steeped in mystery and focuses on mystical experiments and the touch of the unknown. All movies will be accompanied by live music performances.
Films presented during this year’s festival balance on the edge between reality and dream, real and fantasy worlds, clarity of mind and lunacy, earthly and eternal life. The programme is dominated by horror movies, both European and American, but fans of science fiction and fantasy films will also be quite satisfied. 
As horror movies owe much to German Expressionism, the programme includes several outstanding works by its most renowned artists: The Hands of Orlac directed by Robert Wiene, Destiny by Fritz Lang and The Cat and the Canary - a dark comedy completed by Paul Leni in the United States after moving overseas. At this time the American film industry also gave birth to The Phantom of the Opera (Rupert Julian), an immortal classic horror film.
The Fall of the House of Usher, an impressionistic masterwork by Jean Epstein, is characterised by an oneiric and subtle style; Secrets of a Soul by G. W. Pabst can be described as a psychoanalytic drama steeped in Freudian symbolism; The Phantom Carriage by Victor Sjöström, a masterpiece of the Swedish silent cinema, constitutes a reflection on human existence.
Supernatural powers are shared by the characters in The Vampires by Louis Feuillade, a cult series from the beginning of the last century, as well as those in The Arrival from the Darkness, one of the most remarkable silent films in the history of Czech cinema.
A Trip to the Moon - the first-ever science fiction film, Alice in Wonderland and The Call of Cthulhu - a successful contemporary film adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft's famous story, all invite their viewers to vivid fantasy worlds.
Ten days after the festival all silent film lovers will be welcome to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the National Film Archive with a special screening of a digitally restored Polish drama People with No Tomorrow (for years considered lost), accompanied by live music performed by duo Sza/Za. The screening at Kino Pod Baranami will be held on the 16th of December - the day after the Warsaw premiere. 
Film screenings will be accompanied by live music performances. The festival is known for its innovative and bold film and music combinations that combine an experimental approach with respect to the history of cinema. This year, audiences will hear acoustic, electronic and electroacoustic compositions, created using both classical instruments and unusual devices and objects. The festival will open with a performance by a young band from Krakow, SALK, which employs a minimalistic combination of electronic and chamber music. Electronic sounds will also enrich a double bass solo by 3FoNIA, or Jacek Mazurkiewicz, as well as arrangements by two trios: Anna ZIELIŃSKA / Rafał IWAŃSKI / Wojtek JACHNA and Slalom (Tyciński/Weber/Zemler). The Czech group Neuvěřitelno and the local music producer 1988 (Przemysław Jankowiak) are artists who are inspired not only by various music genres but also by the art of cinematography. An unconventional idea stands behind the work of the trio Malerai, which follows the dream of playing music inspired by entire world. There will also be appearances by longtime and trusted friends of the festival: Semi-Invented Trio, or Adrian Konarski (a Krakow composer known for music scores for Pręgi, Zbliżenia and Obywatel) accompanied by Sławomir Berny (drums) and Michał Chytrzyński (violin), as well as the favourite classical piano music performer - Professor Lesław Lic.
This year Kino Pod Baranami also presents special events for our younger audience, Kids’ Screening: Baranki in Silent Cinema. On Sunday children will take part in workshops and presentations about the beginnings of cinema; they will also attend a screening of the silent film A Trip to the Moon with live music by SALK.
Another special event of the Festival will be a video projection mapping on Palace Under the Rams’ (Pałac pod Baranami) inner facade, inspired by silent films and designed by Julie Land (MotionArt) with sound by Szymon Folwarczny (Stealpot).
On Saturday night the organizers invite viewers to attend an afterparty at Betel Club with Alice in Wonderland and DJ Kixnare.
Join us on our facebook event page!
official hashtag: #16FFN
festival on facebook HERE
official website: www.festiwalfilmuniemego.pl/
PROGRAMME:
Thursday, December 3rd
20.00 THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER | LA CHUTE DE LA MAISON USHER
dir. Jean Epstein, France 1928, 66'
Impressionistic, poetic horror film, which takes place in a gloomy mansion in the middle of nowhere. A woman is dying of a mysterious disease that may be related to her husband's artistic obsession.
// live music: SALK (PL)
This film has been restored by La Cinémathèque Française.
Friday, December 4th
18.45 THE ARRIVAL FROM THE DARKNESS | PŘÍCHOZÍ Z TEMNOT
dir. Jan Stanislav Kolár, Czechoslovakia 1921, 64'
Medieval Bohemia, mysterious death and the art of alchemy. One of the most remarkable silent films in the history of Czech cinema.
// live music: Neuvěřitelno (CZ)
In partnership with the Czech Centre in Warsaw. 
20.45 THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA | THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
dir. Rupert Julian, US 1925, 107'
A love story between a deformed musical genius and a budding opera singer. Immortal classic horror film.
// live music: 3FoNIA (PL)
23.00 THE CALL OF CTHULHU | THE CALL OF CTHULHU
dir. Andrew Leman, US 2005, 47'
Proof of achieving the impossible - successful contemporary film adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft's most famous story with monumental symphonic music.
// sound print with music by: Troy Sterling Nies, Ben Holbrook, Nicholas Pavkovic, Chad Fifer
Saturday, December 5th
15.00 SECRETS OF A SOUL | GEHEIMNISSE EINER SEELE
dir. G.W. Pabst, Germany 1926, 75'
Psychoanalytic masterpiece steeped with Freudian symbolism. Visual interpretation of dreams and analysis of the suffering hero’s subconsciousness.
// live music: Lesław Lic (PL)
17.00 THE VAMPIRES | LES VAMPIRES
dir. Louis Feuillade, France 1915-16, 83' - 2 episodes
Defenders of public order versus dangerous gang, which - in addition to conventional weapons - uses hypnosis. Cult series from the beginning of the last century.
// live music: Slalom (PL)
This film has been restored by Gaumont Pathé.
20.45 THE HANDS OF ORLAC | ORLACS HÄNDE
dir. Robert Wiene, Austria 1924, 112'
A controversial medical experiment results in a chilling tale of crime. Behind the camera - master of German Expressionism.
// live music: Semi-Invented Trio (PL)
* 23.00 KIXNARE IN WONDERLAND
- afterparty in BETEL Club (pl. Szczepański 3)
ALICE IN WONDERLAND | ALICE IN WONDERLAND
dir. W.W. Young, US 1915, 42'
The third adaptation of Lewis Carroll's fantasy novel in film history. Carefully designed costumes and original stage design.
// live music: Kixnare (PL)
Sunday, December 6
11.00 BARANKI FOR CHILDREN PRESENTS:
HISTORY OF CINEMA - kids workshop with Sztukolotnia
12.15 BARANKI FOR CHILDREN PRESENTS:
MUSIC IN SILENT CINEMA - music worskhop afterwards
A TRIP TO THE MOON | LE VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE
dir. Georges Méliès, France 1902, 15'
The first-ever science fiction film. Extravagant idea, ingenious realisation. Magic on screen and triumph of the imagination.
// live music: SALK (PL)
In partnership with the Institut Français. 
15.00 DESTINY | DER MÜDE TOD
dir. Fritz Lang, Germany 1921, 103'
A story about love for which even death is not an obstacle. The first important film in Fritz Lang's achievements.
// live music: Malerai (PL)
18.00 THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE | KÖRKARLEN
dir. Victor Sjöström, Sweden 1921, 112'
A story of guilt and redemption, shot using innovative filming techniques. A masterpiece of the Swedish silent cinema.
// live music: 1988 (PL)
20.45 THE CAT AND THE CANARY | THE CAT AND THE CANARY
dir. Paul Leni, US 1927, 84'
Greedy family of deceased millionaire gathers in a dark mansion for the execution of his will. American horror comedy in the style of German Expressionism.
// live music: Zielińska/Iwański/Jachna (PL)
MAPPING inspired by silent films on the interior façade of pod Baranami Palace:
video: Julie Land (MotionArt) & sound: Szymon Folwarczny (Stealpot)
Saturday, December 5: 18.30 & 20.30
* Wednesday, December 16
POST-SCRIPT TO THE FESTIVAL - premiere after years:
20.00 PEOPLE WITH NO TOMORROW | LUDZIE BEZ JUTRA
dir. Aleksander Hertz, Poland 1919, 80’
Based on actual events, a story of a tragic love affair, which takes place in Warsaw in the interwar period. Rediscovered after many years.
// live music: Sza/Za (PL)
In partnership with the National Film Archive in Warsaw.
60th anniversary of the National Film Archive in Warsaw. 
All films with Polish and English subtitles.
TICKETS:
29 zł (regular)
23 zł (discount)
The Call of Cthulhu (sound print): 20 zł | 14 zł
Entry pass (10 screenings): 110 zł
Baranki for Children I: History of cinema - 10 zł
Baranki for Children II: Music in Silent Cinema - 15 zł
Entry pass (2 kids screenings): 20zł
Kixnare in Wonderland (Betel Club) - free entry
Festival passes on sale at the ticket offices and online.
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:
1988
Musician and producer, a well-known figure on the Polish experimental scene. Deeply rooted in hip-hop, dub and electronics.
3FoNIA
A musical project, where the main source of sound is a contrabass – natural or formulated.
KIXNARE
A popular DJ and music producer from Krakow. He is very creative and takes inspiration from nearly every realm of sound.
LESŁAW LIC
Well-known Krakow musician. Pianist, clarinetist, saxophonist, arranger, composer, pedagogue.
MALERAI
An unconventional trio - consisting of clarinet, violin and cello - which follows the dream of playing music inspired by entire world.
NEUVĚŘITELNO
A mixture of music styles: rock, jazz, swing, blues, traditional folk themes and classical music. Guitar, contrabass, mandolin, drums and kalimba, as well as voices, percussions and all sorts of artefacts.
SALK
Minimalist sounds of piano and bass guitar with a large dose of spatial electronics.
SEMI-INVENTED TRIO (Konarski/Chytrzyński/Berny)
Adrian Konarski - a film, TV and theatre music composer. Back at the Festival with Sławomir Berny (drums) and Michał Chytrzyński (violin).
SLALOM (Tyciński/Weber/Zemler)
Synthesizers, percussion and live sampling techniques; an interesting mixture of merry psychedelia rooted in improv, krautrock, country and 1990s alternative music.
SZA/ZA
Clarinet and violin, voice, analogue loop effects and gentle remixes.
Anna ZIELIŃSKA / Rafał IWAŃSKI / Wojtek JACHNA
Three outstanding musicians united by their passion for music. Innovative combination of violin and trumpet with electronics.
TRAILER:
ORGANIZERS:
PATRONS: 
PARTNERS: 
MEDIA PATRONS: 
Project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland.
The project is co-financed by the City of Krakow.
Festival design: Eternal Monkeys
