The Tel Aviv Cinematheque will present a special screening of Nosferatu – A Symphony of Horror, in honor of the film’s 100th anniversary. Directed by F.W. Murnau (1888-1931) the silent film is based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) and has an interesting history. DJ Ellyott composed a new score for the film, and the screening on Saturday, March 5, 2022, will be accompanied by her live performance.
Founder and leader of the band Pollyanna Frank, musician, composer and DJ Ellyott brought influences of Classical music, Techno and Art Rock to her original score for Nosferatu. In playing her composition, she plays all instruments live – samplers, a specially constructed guitar, effects, and DJ stand – creating an event that merges film with performance.
Nosferatu was an unofficial, unauthorized adaptation of Stoker’s novel. A production of Prana studios (its only production), the screenplay was written by Henrik Galeen, and several changes were made to the original narrative: the events take place in Germany, Count Dracula’s name was changed to Count Orlok, and this vampire does not create other vampires, he kills all his victims. Following its premiere in 1922, Stoker’s heirs became aware of the film and sued the filmmakers. The court ruled that all copies of the film must be destroyed. Fortunately, a few prints survived, and the film has inspired generations of filmmakers. Nosferatu’s original score was composed by Hans Erdmann, but it was almost entirely lost. As a result, the legacy of Nosferatu is that over the years, musicians have composed their own original soundtracks for the film – as Ellyott has done.
Nosferatu will be screened at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque on Saturday, March 5th at 21:00. Tickets may be ordered online from the Tel Aviv Cinematheque.
