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On September 14, the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium marks the centennial of a landmark in cinema history: The Phantom of the Opera (1925). This special screening features the film accompanied by its original score, performed live by American Musical Productions’ 18-piece orchestra under the baton of conductor Joseph Rubin.
Lon Chaney’s performance as the phantom still captivates a century later, while the music of the original 1925 orchestral score brings the gothic grandeur of Gaston Leroux’s tale to life.
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Step into a world of high society and hidden secrets as the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium presents Ernst Lubitsch’s Lady Windermere’s Fan (1925), an imaginative silent adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s sharp-tongued comedy of manners.
This silent-era gem is accompanied by a chamber quintet performing live, bringing the film to life with a rich, evocative original compilation score drawn from authentic historic photoplay music. It’s an evening where elegance, irony, and artistry take center stage.
Don’t miss this rare chance to experience one of silent cinema’s most sophisticated comedies as it was meant to be seen and heard: on the big screen, with live music and all the charm of a bygone era.
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Presented in conjunction with the CMA’s exhibition Rose Iron Works and Art Deco and in celebration of the centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the moment that birthed the bold elegance of Art Deco, the Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium presents two avant-garde masterpieces by visionary filmmaker René Clair, brought thrillingly to life with live music performed by Philip Carli and Eric Charnofsky.
First, drift through a dreamlike Paris suspended in time in Paris Qui Dort (1925), Clair’s poetic sci-fi comedy, accompanied by the vibrant compilation score first heard at the film’s Parisian premiere. Then, lose yourself in the surreal spectacle of Entr’acte (1924), Clair’s riotous Dadaist short, performed with a piano four-hands version of Erik Satie’s playful, groundbreaking score just as it was originally experienced.
These two landmark films echo the spirit of experimentation and aesthetic innovation that defined the Art Deco movement and continue to inspire a century later. Don’t miss this mesmerizing afternoon that combines cinema, music, and design in a celebration of timeless modernity.
The event is preceded by a panel discussion—moderated by pianist Eric Charnofsky (Cleveland, OH)—on silent film music by some of the best local and regional practitioners of the art: Philip Carli (Rochester, NY), Rodney Sauer (Louisville, CO), David Blazer (Cleveland, OH), and Donnie Rankin (Ravenna, OH).
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The 2025 Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium continues with Buster Keaton’s classic comedy Go West, which also celebrates its 100th year. The film is being presented with a compilation chamber score by Rodney Sauer, who leads our Cleveland-based ensemble. The score is enhanced with sound effects provided by Radio on the Lake Theatre.
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A partnership with the Cleveland Cinematheque.
God and Satan war over earth; to settle things, they wager on the soul of Faust, a learned and prayerful alchemist.
Experience Murnau’s 1926 silent fantasy horror masterpiece Faust like never before, reimagined with a blistering live metal score by The Silent Light. A cinematic ritual of chaos and sound.
Band Bio:
The Silent Light is a live film scoring project that performs original heavy metal soundtracks to classic silent films. Founded by composer and director Michael Formanski, the group reimagines iconic works like Metropolis, Faust, and A Page of Madness through immersive live performances that blend black metal, doom, and ambient soundscapes. The result is a visceral, cinematic experience that brings new intensity and emotional weight to century-old visuals.
Performances feature a powerful ensemble typically featuring guitar, drums, and synthesizers playing in sync with the film. The Silent Light has built a growing following among fans of experimental film, underground metal, and dark fantasy, and their shows consistently draw passionate, attentive audiences.