Arts & Entertainment

Teaneck Film Festival to Kick Off with German 'Masterpiece'

One of the most "celebrated movies in cinema history" to lead TIFF's November line-up.

The following news release was submitted by the Teaneck International Film Festival:

Teaneck International Film Festival Executive Director Jeremy Lentz has announced that the seventh annual festival, November 9-11, 2012, will open with the German silent classic, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis.  One of the most “celebrated movies in cinema history” according to a NY Times article (May 5, 2010), it had not been seen in its entirety until 25 missing minutes were found by Argentine film archivist Fernando Pena.  The Complete Metropolis was shown in 2010 at the Film Forum in Manhattan.

The restored 140 minute film will be shown at Teaneck High School, 100 Elizabeth Avenue, Friday, November 9th, at 7:30 p.m.  The program will include live piano accompaniment by acclaimed German composer Markus Horn, who has combined elements of jazz, pop, classical, and avant-garde music in his score.  The appearance of Mr. Horn and the presentation of the film have been made possible through the generosity of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany. Teaneck Rotary is the co-sponsor of the program.

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Considered “the most iconic silent picture of its day” (Noah Isenberg, editor of “Weimar Cinema,” quoted in the NY Times article), Metropolis premiered in Berlin in 1927 during the Weimar period.  It tells the story of a futuristic urban dystopia in which there is a sharp division between the working class and the city planners.  The son of the city’s mastermind falls in love with a working class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.  Although slashed for American audiences, even the shortened film was recognized for its beauty, power, and expressionist design, and it has displayed a remarkable staying power over the years.  Stanley Kubrick confessed that the mad scientist title character of Dr. Strangelove was inspired by Rotwang of Metropolis, and it was also a major influence on many later films, among them Star Wars and Blade Runner.

This is a rare opportunity to see a long-lost masterpiece of the early 20th century set to music by a world renowned musician.  Tickets for the screening and performance will be included in the $35 TIFF weekend pass.  The opening night and the Saturday night Centerpiece films will be $10, and all others will be $5 if purchased in advance at two Cedar Lane locations:  Brier Rose Books and Teaneck General Store; and $7 at the door.   Check the TIFF web site, www.teaneckfilmfestival.org or call 201.203.1723, for up-to-date information about venues, films, and tickets.

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