Sunrise: A Song Of Two Humans [1927]
dir. F.W. Murnau
A married farmer falls under the spell of a femme fatale
from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife, but desperation and
turmoil ensues…
Sunrise deals with risqué themes such as obsession,
temptation, lust and ultimately, redemption. A naïve countryman living an idyllic, bucolic
lifestyle with his wife and their young child. The serenity is shattered when a beautiful
femme fatale from the city enters his life. He soon falls in love with her, aware for the
first time that there may be more to the world than the life he has settled
for. As their secret passion
intensifies, the femme fatale convinces the countryman to kill his wife so they
can be together forever. The countryman
is then forced into a nightmarish decision…
Murnau was given complete artistic freedom by his
financier William Fox and he took full advantage. Sunrise is full of cutting edge special
effects, mammoth sets, and a feeling of experimentalism that doesn’t get in the
way of the narrative. Fox’ investment
paid off; at the very first Academy Awards in 1928, Sunrise won three Oscars;
for Unique And Artistic Picture, Jane Gaynor won Best Actress, and Charles
Rosher and Karl Struss for their ground-breaking cinematography.
Steve Beresford is a well-known member of the London improvising
scene since the 1970s. He has featured
on a large number of recordings of improvised music and been involved with
Alterations, Imitation Of Life, Derek Bailey’s Company events and with the
Portsmouth Sinfonia. Beresford has
continued to play free improvisation with a number of prominent musicians
including Evan Parker, John Zorn and Han Bennink.
Blanca Regina is an artist, teacher and curator currently
involved in creating audio-visual performances, sound-works, installations and
film. Her research and practice
encompass sound art, free improvisation, moving image, live events, electronic
music and performance. She is co-founder
of the Live Cinema Foundation.
Paul Khimasia Morgan is an improviser drawn to working
with unorthodox instrumentation and technique. He has worked in collaboration with Dan Powell
as Brambling, and with sound artists Simon Whetham, Michael Fairfax and Joseph
Young. His latest solo cd was released by Confront. He curates Aural Detritus Concert Series,
manages The Slightly Off Kilter Label and writes for The Sound Projector.
