About the Concert

Duration: approx. 1 hr 30 mins without intermission

Crooked houses and painted shadows - the sets in this milestone of German film expressionism are intentionally unrealistically built, as they reflect psychological states and are meant to create a sense of unease. "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" tells the story of the titular fairground showman, who presents the sleepwalker Cesare, a somnambulist who supposedly can predict the future. Shortly thereafter, mysterious murders occur, and Cesare becomes a suspect. The plot unfolds as a flashback of a young man named Francis, who tries to uncover the truth. However, it is revealed in the end that the entire story was told from an unexpected perspective. Reality and madness become indistinguishable. The film, shot in 1920, had a great influence on later horror and thriller films, including Hitchcock and film noir. In our screening, the film will be accompanied on the big screen by the great French organ virtuoso and composer Thierry Escaich, who was enthusiastically celebrated for his legendary improvisational skills at his last silent film concert ("Sunrise" by Murnau) and who will highlight the special moods of the film on the grand concert organ.

As part of the Dresden Silent Film Days.