Loulou opens Synchro film music festival at Cinémathèque de Toulouse

The 1929 Louise Brooks film, Loulou (otherwise known as Pandora's Box) will open the Cinémathèque de Toulouse Synchro, a film music festival running from November 30 to December 4. More information HERE.

Louise Brooks not only opens the new festival, she also adorns its inaugural poster. With Synchro, the Cinémathèque de Toulouse hopes to establish a week long series of cinema concert events which not only celebrate the silent era but also give it a beat. Each film concert will feature an original score ranging from classical to jazz through rock and electronic music, "introducing the widest possible audience to films from a new angle and giving them unique experiences with musicians who will play live, sometimes in unexpected places."

Approximately 30 film concerts are set to take place during this first event. Among them are these three highlights: 

Cinema icon Louise Brooks will light up the opening of SYNCHRO, with Loulou (1929) by George Wilhelm Pabst. This German cinematic masterpiece will be accompanied by two composers who specialize in accompaniment to silent films who have appeared in many festivals around the world: Dutch pianist Maud Nielsen and Portuguese bassist Eduardo Raun. - Wednesday, November 30 at the Cinémathèque de Toulouse.

A monument in the history of cinema included at SYNCHRO, The Man with a Camera filmed and directed in Odessa, Ukraine in 1929 by Soviet director Dziga Vertov. This documentary, famous for its exceptional editing, will be accompanied by a composition by Pierre Henri, the founding father of electro-acoustic music. Ole acousmonium and Maylis Raynal will provide the electroacoustic broadcast. - Thursday, December 1 at Cinémathèque de Toulouse.

Considered one of the best films ever made, The Gold Rush (1925) by Charlie Chaplin will be accompanied by the Orchester National du Capitole de Toulouse, led by Timothy Brock. This American composer, musician, and specialist in restoring silent film soundtracks has been working since 1999 to restore the Chaplin family’s musical scores. - Friday 25 and Sunday 27 December in Halle aux Grains (Toulouse), Saturday 26 December in Aria (Cornebarrieu).

More information and reservations: www.lacinemathequedetoulouse.com

This blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society (www.pandorasbox.com). Original contents copyright © 2022. Further use prohibited.