Screenplay by Henrik
Galeen
Directed by F.W.
Murnau
Live music
accompaniment by Tess Said So
Art, Not Apart
Festival for Canberra Arts
Arc Cinema - National
Film And Sound Archive Saturday 18 March
Reviewed by Len Power
It’s not often we get the opportunity to see a cinema performance
of a classic silent movie with a live musical accompaniment. As part of the Art, Not Apart Festival for
Canberra arts, the Arc Cinema at the National Film And Sound Archive presented
F.W. Murnau’s 1922 German Expressionist horror movie, ‘Nosferatu’ with a new
live musical accompaniment by musicians, Tess Said So.
‘Nosferatu’ was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel
‘Dracula’. Stoker's heirs sued over the
adaptation and a court ruling ordered that all copies of the film be destroyed.
However, a few prints of Nosferatu
survived, and the film came to be regarded as an influential masterpiece of
cinema. The copy held by the National
Film and Sound Archive is in very good condition. The image is clear and sharp with only occasional
jumps where frames are missing.
The performance of Max Schreck, who plays the vampire, is
unforgettable. It’s a highly stylised
performance which, together with a unique makeup design, creates a sense of
pure evil.
The rest of the cast perform well but the melodramatic style
of the acting caused a few titters in the audience. The direction by F.W. Murnau is superb and
the production design is carefully detailed.
Murnau was noted for his use of perspective in his films and one of the most
memorable and eerie scenes in the film has a long procession of coffin carriers
all dressed in black descending down a long narrow street with tall buildings crowding
in on either side.
The live musical accompaniment written and performed by Tess
Said So is quite an achievement. With Rasa
Daukus on piano and Will Larsen on percussion, the musicians have created a
soundscape that enhances the visuals of the film perfectly. It’s a unique score blending minimalism and
electronic elements that appeals to the ear in a modern way but creates a
haunting atmosphere that suits this old world story. It’s no surprise to learn that they recently won
the Best Interactive, Film & Digital Award at the 2017 Adelaide Fringe
Festival for their live soundtrack performance for this film.
It’s only when you see a silent film with a live musical
accompaniment that you understand the power that silent cinema had. Our audience was obviously impressed and gave
the musicians a well-deserved standing ovation.
I hope this performance can be repeated so more people in Canberra can
experience it.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program (9am Saturdays) and
‘Dress Circle’ (3.30pm Mondays).