Film Screening - The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Advertisement
The Man Who Laughs
1928 film with spontaneous music by Lyndon Owen and Aidan Thorne
30th June 8.00pm
MusicfestAberystwyth XTRA
Directed by the German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni, it was released at the end of the silent era, and is often cited as the inspiration for The Joker, nemesis to DC Comics's Batman.
"one of the final treasures of German silent Expressionism"
"precisely the kind of all-stops-out romantic adventure that needs the silent rather than sound medium for maximum impact"
"its perfect director, for his bravura Expressionist style lifts this tempestuous tale above the level of tear-jerker to genuinely stirring experience"
The film is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1869 novel of the same name, and it stars Mary Philbin as the blind Dea and Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine. The film is known for the grotesque grin on the character Gwynplaine's face, which often leads it to be classified as a horror film. Film critic Roger Ebert stated "The Man Who Laughs is a melodrama, at times even a swashbuckler, but so steeped in expressionist gloom that it plays like a horror film."
Forever disfigured by a wide, mirthless grin on his face, Gwynplaine, the orphaned son of a nobleman, rescues blind baby girl Dea in cold 17th-century England. Taken in by paternal carnival philosopher Ursus, the unloved boy grows into a kind, honest man who chooses to hide his grotesque deformity behind a black cloak, utterly convinced that beautiful Dea will never truly love him because of his horrible secret. Feeling unworthy of Dea's noble feelings, Gwynplaine soon crosses paths with aristocratic temptress Duchess Josiana, as a cruel and long-standing conspiracy in the palace of Queen Anne presents him with the burden of choice. Will poor Gwynplaine, the Man who Laughs, renounce everything in the name of love?
1928 film with spontaneous music by Lyndon Owen and Aidan Thorne
30th June 8.00pm
MusicfestAberystwyth XTRA
Directed by the German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni, it was released at the end of the silent era, and is often cited as the inspiration for The Joker, nemesis to DC Comics's Batman.
"one of the final treasures of German silent Expressionism"
"precisely the kind of all-stops-out romantic adventure that needs the silent rather than sound medium for maximum impact"
"its perfect director, for his bravura Expressionist style lifts this tempestuous tale above the level of tear-jerker to genuinely stirring experience"
The film is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1869 novel of the same name, and it stars Mary Philbin as the blind Dea and Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine. The film is known for the grotesque grin on the character Gwynplaine's face, which often leads it to be classified as a horror film. Film critic Roger Ebert stated "The Man Who Laughs is a melodrama, at times even a swashbuckler, but so steeped in expressionist gloom that it plays like a horror film."
Forever disfigured by a wide, mirthless grin on his face, Gwynplaine, the orphaned son of a nobleman, rescues blind baby girl Dea in cold 17th-century England. Taken in by paternal carnival philosopher Ursus, the unloved boy grows into a kind, honest man who chooses to hide his grotesque deformity behind a black cloak, utterly convinced that beautiful Dea will never truly love him because of his horrible secret. Feeling unworthy of Dea's noble feelings, Gwynplaine soon crosses paths with aristocratic temptress Duchess Josiana, as a cruel and long-standing conspiracy in the palace of Queen Anne presents him with the burden of choice. Will poor Gwynplaine, the Man who Laughs, renounce everything in the name of love?
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1, New Street , SY23 2AT Aberystwyth, United Kingdom, 1 New Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 2AT, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherBank Vault Aberystwyth
