‘Electric Silents’ : Recreating the Era of Silent Cinema at Electric Palace, Harwich We are constantly told we are living in an age of new media. An age where the digital is reshaping notions of entertainment and how we experience it. Just over one hundred years ago, at the turn of the century, the new media was Cinema and it too was reshaping these notions. With this in mind, the Electric Silents Festival is currently in preparation for May 2009 and will include a number of related film screenings and presentations on the first few decades of film. The intention is to give a flavour of the film-going experience for cinema audiences as it was one hundred years ago, and to show how cinema quickly developed as one of the key media of the Twentieth Century.
Films typical of the era of early cinema, including comedies, factuals and dramas from Britain, Germany, France Russis and the USA will be screened during the festival. This will give patrons of the Electric Palace the chance to enjoy some classics as well as some forgotten gems and curiosities. Details will be confirmed in due course but, in addition to this range of films, the event will include;
Live musical performances recreating the sounds of the era
Live musical accompaniment to screenings
Illustrated presentations on early cinema and pre-cinema
Sideshow films and optical attractions such as Magic Lantern Shows

In addition, the unique surroundings provided by the Electric Palace - a typical example of cinema design at the beginning of the Twentieth Century - will add a unique element to this experience for contemporary audiences. Films will be shown on the Electric Palace’s Kalee 35mm projectors. All films will be projected onto the cinema’s original hand-painted screen for a more authentic experience. The Festival will open on Thursday May 7th, with a Gala Reception and screening of the Alfred Hitchcock film ‘The Ring’(cert U), 1927. The Full festival programme and booking details will available late March 2009. Watch this space! www.electricpalace.com
If you want to book accommodation for your visit to the Silent Film Festival please click on HYPERLINK "http://www.harwichconnexions.co.uk/flash08_04_28/index.html" \o "blocked::http://www.harwichconnexions.co.uk/flash08_04_28/index.html" Harwich Connexions for a list of local Hotels and B and B accommodation.