Silent Film Nights at Killruddery House
Thursday, 14th February
Thursday, 21st February
Thursday, 28th February
This past year Killruddery Arts organised two very special unique film events, both celebrating silent film. The events took place on the grounds of Killruddery House and were both well attended and highly successful.
The first event began with a screening of Andrew Legge’s highly acclaimed and award-winning short film The unusual inventions of Henry Cavendish. The film was introduced by the director and accompanied by a live score for piano written by Jurgen Simpson and played by Sophie Ward. Cavendish used the grounds of Killruddery house for many of its locations and the resulting film is a playful kind of romantic time-travel comedy set in and around Victorian Dublin. It is filmed using the conventions of a silent film from the period and the film itself is beautifully observed and carefully constructed.
The first film complimented perfectly what was to follow. After a brief break for refreshments we returned for a selection of early silent films selected and introduced by Kevin Brownlow. Brownlow is one of the most enthusiastic and well-informed experts in silent film and was the man responsible for assembling the most complete available print of Abel Gance’s Napoleon. Mr Brownlow showed a fascinating collection of films from his private collection of silent pictures with well known cornerstones like The Great Train Robbery and rarely seen gems like the charming Mary Pickford two-reeler Johanna Enlists. Each of the screenings was accompanied by improvised score from pianist Josh Johnston who did a fantastic job of matching the precise mood of each of the films. The programme for the evening was engaging, entertaining and hugely informative.
The response to Kevin Brownlow’s visit was so strong that he was invited to return for a second visit. On this second visit we were lucky enough to have him present a selection of crime and gangster pictures again taken from his own private collection of prints. Kevin has a knowledge and enthusiasm that is absolutely infectious and a large portion of the audience were return visitors delighted to spend another evening being transported back to the early days of cinema and ready to gain a real sense of the emotions and feelings that would have been associated with the earliest cinema screenings. The second evening which was again accompanied by the accomplished pianist Josh Johnston was a true ‘event’ as the experience of cinema used often to be.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, Lecturer in Film Studies
For bookings please contact Killruddery Arts Ltd., Killruddery, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Tel/Ans/Fax: 01 2863405 email: killrudderyarts@killruddery.com
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