Scotland’s Silent Film Festival, Hippfest, returns this autumn with its Taste of Silents Season. The upcoming programme has a range of films, including the original Nosferatu from 1922.
The festival will run over three Saturdays: 12 October, 26 October, and 2 November. Each day will feature different films, with the first and final events featuring live musical accompaniment.
The festival will take place in the usual 1912 pre-art deco picture palace, The Hippodrome Cinema. The venue also has a licenced bar and a café.
Opening the festival is The Flying Scotsman (1929), filmed aboard the iconic British train. Starring iconic Geordie actress Pauline Johnson, the film is full of action and stunts- performed by the actress herself. The film also includes a live reprised performance by pianist Jane Gardner.
If you want to make a weekend out of vintage trains, the nearby Bo’ness and Kinnell Railway is hosting the Scottish Railway Preservation Society Steam Gala. The event features a visiting locomotive, locally brewed ales and more.
The festival’s second weekend features three short comedy films, starring silent film legends Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd. The Rink (1916), The High Sign (1921) and Never Weaken (1921) will be presented and accompanied by broadcaster and dynamo pianist Neil Brand.
On Halloween weekend, Hippfest is proud to present the first-ever screen adaption of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu (1922). This is ahead of the buzz surrounding Robert Eggers’ upcoming remake, starring Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.
Nosferatu is a surreal cine-fable that remains a landmark film in founding the horror genre. This definitive restoration, including original intertitles, will feature live viola accompaniment by Hugo Max.
For further information on the Taste of Silents season and to purchase tickets visit the HippFest website. Tickets start from £14 (£11.50 for concessions), or pre-book all three screenings for £36 (£30 concession).
The Hippodrome Silent Film Festival is a project of Falkirk Council, supported by Film Hub Scotland part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, with core funding from Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding through the BFI’s FAN Film Exhibition Fund.
Feature image credit: Film Arts Guild
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