Silents at the Senate Presents: The Sheik (1921) with the Arab Film Festival
Schedule
Fri, 08 May, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI, United States, Michigan 48210 | Detroit, MI
Silents at the Senate Presents: The Sheik (1921) Fri. May 8
Doors – 7:00 PM
Film – 8:00 PM
Tickets - $15
1hr 26min | NR | Romance/Adventure| USA
Live organ accompaniment by Scott Smith
Presented with the Arab American National Museum for the Arab Film Festival
Century old art can be, to use the parlance of our times, problematic. It can be said that The Sheik, with its dated cultural stereotypes and sexual politics, is just that. However, it is also a film about confronting the darkness in one’s past and moving forward with moral clarity.
Which is why Silents at the Senate and the Arab Film Festival are excited to screen this silent era blockbuster on our big screen. And to reiterate the importance of artistic preservation, this rousing tale will be presented as it was seen in 1921, with a live organ score (on our nearly century old Mighty Wurlitzer) by the indominable Scott Smith! Providing historical and cultural context will be Dr. Matthew Jaber Stiffler from the Arab Film Festival, who will introduce the film.
Based on the wildly popular “desert romance” novel of the same name, this adventure melodrama was the breakout role for the most adored sex symbol of the 1920s, Rudolph Valentino. In keeping with the then current trends of exoticism and orientalist portrayals of Arabs in western popular culture, it is draped lavishly in billowy fabric and adorned judiciously with the seductive, vaguely “ethnic” face of its star. Modern audiences may not find this story particularly romantic, but its craftsmanship and the striking visage of Mr. Valentino remain as compelling as ever.
Come see it at The Senate on the big screen and behold what brought last centuries earliest cinematic worshipers to the temple of their idol!
Following the silent film presentation patrons will have a chance to take a tour of the organ pipe chambers and the organist will be around to field any questions you may have about theater organ and the art of silent film accompaniment!
Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue
Where is it happening?
6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI, United States, Michigan 48210
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