Madrid, 06/13/2017

'Varieté' Fascinates over 400 Guests

Subject: Media & Services
Country: Spain
Category: Project

At the 19th "German Film Festival" in Madrid  last week, one contribution stood out among the almost 30 contributions: at the Palacio de la Prensa Bertelsmann presented the digitally restored silent movie classic "Varieté". The work by director Ewald André Dupon from the year 1925 is part of the cultural heritage of the leading German production company UFA. Over 400 guests did not miss out on the opportunity to re-experience this highlight from the influencial epoch of the Weimar Republic cinema.

As is customary with the successful format "UFA Film Nights", the screening of "Varieté" in the Spanish capital was also supported with live music to create an overall atmospheric experience of pictures and sound. The duo consisting of the British silent movie pianist Stephen Horne and his fellow countryman, improvisation artist Martin Pyne, supported the dynamic arcs of tension and melodramatic highlights of the jealousy drama with a perfect sound scenery. During his composition, which he especially created for "Varieté", Horne played the piano, transverse flute and accordion – at times all simultaneously.

"Part of the Great Treasure of European Culture"

Juan Llobell, Director Communications and Institutional Relations of Bertelsmann Spain, said: "Silent movies are no doubt part of the great treasure of European culture. Unfortunately, many of these works were lost. In collaboration with the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau-Stiftung, Bertelsmann sponsors the restoration and digitization of the films to enable current and future generations to access silent movies."   

The Managing Director of the film festival, Mariette Rissebeek, was also content: "I thank Bertelsmann for enriching the 19th German Film Festival in Madrid, as well. In the past two years, Bertelsmann already provided highlights with the screening of 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' and 'Destiny'."

During the "UFA Film Nights" important works from the heyday of the silent movie era that inspire filmmakers to this day are presented in different big cities around the world. The Bertelsmann company UFA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2017.