Γερμανία/Germany, 1920, μ/α/b&w (tinted)
Σκην./Dir.: Robert Wiene | Σεν./Scr.: Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz | Φωτ./Cin.: Willy Hameister | Μουσ./Mus.: Alfredo Antonini, Giuseppe Becce (premiere), Michael Klubertanz (1989 Original Score), Richard Marriott(1987), Lothar Prox(1985), Rainer Viertelboeck(1993), Timothy Broc(1996) | Ηθ./Cast: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Fehér, Lil Dagover, Hans Heinz v. Twardowski, Rudolph Lettinger | Παρ./Prod.: Decla-Bioscop AG | Διάρκεια/Dur.: 77'
It is the annual fair. Francis and his friend Alan visit The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, an exhibit where the mysterious doctor shows off the somnambulist Cesare. He awakens him for some moments from his death-like sleep in order to predict the future. When Alan asks Cesare about his future, Cesare answers that he will die before dawn. The following morning Alan is found dead. A series of mysterious murders take place and as Francis suspects that Dr. Caligari is behind them, he starts spying on him.
The film is considered the quintessential work of German Expressionist cinema and a landmark in the history of cinema. Made before «horror» was a designated genre, this is sometimes cited as the first true horror film. Producer Erich Pommer wanted to have Fritz Lang as the film’s director and although Lang was interested, he then decided to work on another film.
On the occasion of the Centenary of the film’s world premiere we are screening the restored copy of the film with live music by Nicos Platanos and with the tinted colours used at the time.