Cinephile film club to screen silent film with live music
The Cinephile Film Club of the Entertainment Society of Goa is set to offer audiences a rare and immersive cinematic experience this Thursday, 19 February, at 6.30 pm, with a special screening of the iconic silent film Nosferatu (1922, 90 minutes). What makes this evening truly distinctive is not just the film itself, but the presence of live, improvised music performed alongside the screening—reviving an almost-lost tradition of early cinema. The music will be performed by Martin Melendez and Guy Hershberg.
Directed by the legendary F. W. Murnau, Nosferatu is widely regarded as one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. Released over a century ago, it remains a cornerstone of German Expressionist cinema, celebrated for its eerie visuals, bold use of shadow, and a visual language that shaped the genre for generations to come. The film was an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula, a creative liberty that famously led to legal disputes, but also resulted in a work that stands apart from its literary source in both tone and imagery.
Over the decades—and indeed over the last hundred years—there have been close to 30 interpretations and reimaginings of Dracula and Nosferatu, spanning eras, continents, and cinematic styles, including versions released as recently as 2024. Yet Murnau’s Nosferatu endures as a defining work, one that laid the foundation for screen horror and demonstrated how atmosphere, framing, and movement could unsettle audiences without the aid of dialogue or sound effects.
To paraphrase film critic Roger Ebert, Nosferatu does not so much frighten viewers as it haunts them—through its artistry, ideas, atmosphere, and unforgettable images. The elongated shadow of Count Orlok creeping up a staircase, the stark landscapes, and the hypnotic rhythm of the film continue to linger in the mind long after the screen goes dark.
Adding another layer to this haunting experience is the live musical accompaniment, a practice that was integral to silent cinema during its original exhibition. In the early 20th century, films like Nosferatu were rarely screened in silence; instead, pianists, organists, or small ensembles performed live, interpreting the mood of each scene in real time. This Thursday’s screening aims to recreate that magic, reminding audiences that silent films were never meant to be experienced silently.
The live score will be performed by cellist Martin Melendez, who studied music in Cuba, and accomplished pianist Guy Hershberg, who will perform on piano and synthesizer. The duo will improvise throughout the screening, responding intuitively to the film’s shifting moods—from moments of quiet dread to passages of stark beauty. Each performance, by its very nature, becomes unique, making this screening a one-of-a-kind event that cannot be exactly replicated.
Live music breathes fresh life into silent films, forging an immediate connection between the image on screen and the audience in the hall. The musicians do not merely accompany the film; they converse with it, amplifying emotions, heightening tension, and sometimes allowing silence itself to speak louder than sound. For contemporary viewers accustomed to polished soundtracks, this raw, responsive approach offers a powerful reminder of cinema’s origins as a shared, communal experience.
The Cinephile Film Club of the Entertainment Society of Goa has consistently made efforts to bring meaningful and thoughtfully curated cinema to audiences across the state throughout the year—extending well beyond the buzz and excitement of the International Film Festival of India. By programming classics like Nosferatu alongside live performances, the club reaffirms its commitment to film appreciation, education, and the celebration of cinema as an evolving art form.
This special screening is not just a film show; it is an invitation to step back in time and rediscover how cinema once felt—intimate, experimental, and alive. For film lovers, music enthusiasts, and the simply curious, Thursday evening promises an encounter with a masterpiece that continues to cast its long, unforgettable shadow across the history of cinema.
(The screening is on 19th Feb. 6.30 pm at Maquinez palace theatre, Panjim. Tickets will be available at the venue on first come first served basis)
