Saturday 3 March 2012

Golem Heights

So the whole craze around The Artist went over my head, since I fell asleep half-way through the predictable plot. Seeing Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam at Wilton's Music Hall this week restored my faith in the silent film.

The 1920s feature recounts the Jewish legend of the Golem, a precursory Frankenstein created by Rabbi Löw to protect the Jewish community from the wrath of the Christian king in 16th century Prague.

The rather ironic historical context aside (pre-WWII German production), this suppposed horror film is both hilarious and timeless, mixing Judeo-Christian pastiche, Hogwarts-meets-Smerfs settings and surprisingly avantgarde special effects.

Der Golem (1920)
The music was played live, with a grand piano, cello, mini-lute, tuba and trumpet. For free. The "city's hidden stage" and supposedly the the world's last surviving Grand Music Hall runs a montly Cinema Club, eclectic and witout charge.

Wilton's Music Hall
For more events at Wilton's, including the threepenny opera, a ping-pong tournamenet and a new adaptation of The Great Gatsby, check out their website.

For silent Golem, see below. Without charge. Without sleep.


Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 1 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 2 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 3 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 4 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 5 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 6 of 7

Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam : Part 7 of 7


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