By Jude Bautista
THERE is nothing like a 30-piece big band to complement the scenes and set the mood for the Austrian silent film Orlacs Handë.
The 1940s-based jazzy and bluesy music of The Executives presented a live element to the silent-movie classic. The band with its storied career is something everyone should experience.
The Executives lead guitarist Butch Roxas composed music for Orlacs Handë, while musical direction was handled by Butch Silverio, who was also on trumpet.
The Ninth International Silent Film Festival opened with Orlacs Handë from Austria to the delight of audiences at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Austria is one of the nine countries participating in the festival that combines classic silent films with live music from top international and local bands.
Orlacs Handë is a touching tale of redemption for concert pianist Paul Orlac (Conrad Veidt), who lost his hands in a train accident. A miraculous transplant by Dr. Serral (Hans Homma) gives Orlac a new chance at life. An executed murderer the day before the accident allows Dr. Serral to transfer those hands to the injured concert pianist.
Directed by Austrian Robert Wiene, the look and style of the film is considered to be part of the German Expressionist movement. Although this can also be considered as a precursor to the film-noir look and in terms of story of later works in the 1930s and 1940s.
This is highlighted by the big-band sound provided by The Executives, a band established by the late Sen. Raul Manglapus.
There is a strong element of mystery, a whodunit, or how crimes were committed in the story based on French novelist Renard’s Les Mains d’Orlac. A French British production, called The Hands of Orlac, was also produced in the 1960s, starring Mel Ferrer and Christopher Lee.
Film Development Council of the Philippines Executive Director Teodoro Granados during his speech noted the works being done to salvage and restore movies from the silent era.
“The Silent Film Festival casts attention and gives recognition to archivists all over the world who tirelessly work to search, take care and restore these films so that we and future generations are able to witness such cinematic heritage,” Granados said.
The Ninth Silent Film Festival is being presented by Goethe Institut Phil, Instituto Cervantes Manila, Japan Foundation Manila, Philippine-Italian Association, FDCP, and the Austrian, French, Thai and United States embassies.
It is also being made possible in partnership with Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, JEC Philippines (Austria), National Film Center of the Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, and Shochiku Co. Ltd., spanish and Italian embassies, Filmoteca de Catalunya, Institut Francais and Eunic Philippines.