By Scott Thompson
“Sunrise,” one of the last films of the silent era and a film that Life magazine called “the most important picture in the history of movies,” will be shown in the HBLL auditorium Friday evening, Feb. 10, 2006.
F.W. Murnau, who also directed “Nosferatu,” subtitled his masterpiece “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans,” which tells the story of a young farmer torn between loyalty to his wife and a persuasive new love interest from the city.
“It plummets to the depths of human misery and soars to the heights of human joy, all in one film,” said James D”Arc, curator for the motion picture archives. “People who see this, especially married people or people in-love, will never forget it.” Critics have called the film, “a study of the human mind ? at its best andat its worst.”
Students can travel back through time to the Roaring ”20s as they enjoy a classic silent film with a live organ accompaniment.
Theater organist Blaine Gail, from Salt Lake City, will provide the musical ambience as this film is shown in the way that its creators meant it to be seen.
“The live accompaniment really adds to the drama and power of the experience,” D”Arc said. “It is a very rare opportunity.”
In the first year of the Academy Awards” history, the critically acclaimed 1927 film won Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Actress (Janet Gaynor) and a special category Oscar for being a “unique and artistic picture.”
“”Sunrise” was one of the last silent films,” D”Arc said in a press release. “And as such is proof of why so many filmmakers lamented the coming of sound. It is a lovely and very powerful motion picture of love and the power of fidelity in marriage.”
This screening is part of the ongoing Special Collections Motion Picture Archives Film Series, a service provided by the L. Tom Perry Special Collections. The motion picture archives houses a permanent collection of rare prints of classic films that has taken more than 30 years to acquire.
“Sunrise” will be shown in the HBLL auditorium, located on the bottom floor, at 7 p.m. this Friday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.
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