Prince Achmed, Silk Road, Yo-Yo Ma, Avon.
Delightful event last night! I saw the 1926 German animation masterpiece, The Adventures of Prince Achmed of Lotte Reiniger, the first full-length animation film ever made. No computer graphics here. The entire thing was done with stop-action photography of cardboard and metal cutouts positioned in front of illuminated sheets of glass. Took her three years, and the results are dazzling. Everything is in silhouette. The story line is based on tales from The Arabian Nights and has a wicked sorcerer, Prince Achmed on a magical horse, a beautiful princess, demons, a genie in a lamp. Some of the scenes are eye-popping. (Get it on DVD.)
The Silk Road Ensemble accompanied the 35mm film showing with an original score composed for both Eastern and Western instruments. The ensemble is part of a program envisioned by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The Silk Road Project, with artists in residence at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), brings together artists and audiences around the globe. Mr. Ma, whom I've seen in concerts several times and whose recordings I have, was in attendance and watched the movie. I was thrilled. He almost stepped on my foot. Providence's Avon Cinema, where the screening with live music was held, was sold out. Gratifying.
(Cross-posted to silent_films and providenceri)