The Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (MCF) hosts the 7th Silent Film Festival. Films will be accompanied by original compositions written especially for the festival programme which this year focuses around the themes of love and eroticism. The erotic elements in silent films of various genres, including comedy and drama were often disguised behind the innocent looking charms of both male and female advancements. Compositions will be performed live to accompany the screenings to enhance the audiences experience of the atmosphere of the era.
Internationally accomplished Greek musicians include: Natalia Mavraki, Argyro Koliogiorgi, Panagiotis Theodosiou, Leonidas Kanaris, Spyros Deligiannopoulos, Yannis Loukos, Marina Tzouli and DJ Eleni Mitsiaki.
Artistic Director: Alexandros Mouzas
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Michael (1924) 27th June, 9.30pm
Director: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Actors: Walter Slezak, Max Auzinger, Nora Gregor
The Story: Zoret, an elderly artist helps Mikael during his first artistic steps, while their relationship is of sexual nature. However, everything falls apart for Zoret, as Mikael falls for princess Zamikoff and will do anything to please her expensive taste.
Duration: 86 minutes
DJ set by: Eleni Mitsiaki
The Kiss (1929) 28th June 9.30pm
Director: Jacques Feyder
Actors: Greta Garbo, Conrad Nagel, Anders Randolf
The Story: Irene is married to an older man but falls in love with a young lawyer. Their affair ends quickly, as she is terrified of her husband’s jealousy. However, Pierre, a family friend, is madly in love with her. When Pierre begs Irene for an innocent kiss before he goes off to college, she mistakenly agrees, without knowing that her husband is watching.
Duration: 65 minutes
Original music composition by: Leonidas Kanaris
Musicians: Maria Katsoura (soprano), Stella Tsani (violin), Ilias Sdoukos (viola), Christoforos Mirosnikov (cello), Dionysis Mallouchos (piano)
Bed and Sofa (1927) 29th June, 9.30pm
Director: Abram Room
Actors: Nikolai Batalov, Lyudmila Semyonova, Leonid Yurenev
The Story: A movie famous for its humour and the positive female figure it presents: A married couple living in Moscow host their friend, Volodia. The attractive wife Liuda and Volodia fall in love and decide to be together. Despite the husband’s initial fury, all three of them create a love triangle, untill the day Liuda finds out she is pregnant.
Duration: 87 minutes
Original music composition by Spyros Deligiannopoulos (for piano)
Tabu – a Story of the South Seas (1931) 30th June, 9.30pm
Director: F.W. Murnau
Actors: Anne Chevalier, Matahi Hitu
The Story: A young couple are in love on the island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific. When their tribe leader decides that the girl is the chosen daughter no one is allowed to touch her. Desperate to be together, they move to a deserted island.
Duration: 86 minutes
Original music composition by: Yannis Loukos
Musicians: Giorgos Arnis (contrabass), Stefanos Theodorakis (drums), Lefki Kolovou (cello), Yannis Loukos (keys), Eleftheria Toya (viola).
The Wind (1928) 1st July, 9.30pm
Director: Victor Sjostrom
Actors: Lillian Gish, Lars Hanson, Montagu Love
The Story: Letty Mason, an emotionally unstable woman from Virginia moves to Western Texas. While staying at her cousin’s ranch, she is upset by the constant wind and the drama that dominates the house. She is pursued by three men who want her, despite her repulsion.
Duration: 75 minutes
Original music composition by: Marina Tzouli
Musicians: Michalis Papageorgiou (piano), Panagiotis Nikolakis (violin), Michalis Yavris (cello), Rania Michalopoulou (soprano).
