Detroit Film Theatre
THE ALLOY ORCHESTRA
September 24, 25 & 26
On September 24th, 25th and 26th,
Boston’s world renowned Alloy Orchestra – which Pulitzer Prize-winning critic
Roger Ebert has called “the best in the world at accompanying silent films” –
will pay a return visit to the Detroit Film Theatre.
Sept. 24 @ 9:30 p.m.
MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA
Russia/1929—directed by Dziga Vertov (70 min.)
Legendary Russian director Dziga Vertov’s classic
experimental feature The Man With a Movie
Camera (1929), a minute-by-minute portrait of a day in the life of a great
city. Boasting innovative visual techniques that were decades ahead of their
time, this amazingly powerful cinematic experience is enhanced brilliantly by
the Alloy Orchestra’s stunningly vibrant score – widely praised as one of their
very best – culminating in a veritable orgy of sight and sound that leaves
viewers breathless.
Sept. 25 @ 7:30 p.m.
THE COMPLETE METROPOLIS
Germany/1927—directed by Fritz Lang (153 min.)
The newly – and fully – restored version of Fritz Lang’s visionary
science fiction “super-production” with its thousands of extras, monstrous
sets, and eye-popping special effects, including a cataclysmic,
multitude-engulfing flood will be accompanied live by the Alloy Orchestra’s
acclaimed original score. This astounding new version — after considerable
restoration work on the well-worn archival print — has been combined with the
visually superb 2002 restoration to create an overwhelming experience. Seeing
it with the Alloy Orchestra in person makes it one of this year’s must-see
cinematic events.
Sept. 26 @ 3:00
MASTERS OF SLAPSTICK
The Alloy Orchestra will accompany a specially selected, family-friendly program of short films featuring Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. (approx 60 min.)
Sept. 26 @ 6:00 p.m.
BLACKMAIL
UK/1929—directed by Alfred Hitchcock (83 min.)
The widely-seen sound version of Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail is considered the first English talking picture; far more
rare is this simultaneously-shot (and subtly different) silent version, which may
well be Hitch’s greatest achievement of the silent era. The gripping story of a
young British woman and her detective boyfriend begins conventionally, but
quickly – and horrifyingly – spirals into an unpredictable tale of terror and
suspense, accentuated brilliantly by the Alloy Orchestra’s intense and powerful
score. Presented in a 35mm print, newly restored by the British Film Institute.
Special ticket prices apply for the Alloy Orchestra shows. $10 general admission, $8 for DIA members, students, seniors. A children's matinee price of $5 is also available at the door for The Masters of Slapstick on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.