Nosferatu

Enjoy the original vampire film -- with live accompaniment by one of the Grand Valley's most accomplished talents!

ReelTime at the Radio Room announces its plan to host a special presentation of the film NOSFERATU, director F.W. Murnau’s horror masterpiece, featuring a live musical interpretation composed and performed by local musician Warren Jones.

Not a horror film in the modern day “blood and gore” sense, NOSFERATU is instead a psychic thriller. Director Murnau utilized actor Max Schreck’s naturally shocking visage, superimposed images, negative images and the oddly angled architecture of Orava Castle to create an atmosphere of terror. Rather than building lavish studio sets, which was the practice at the time, Murnau opted to shoot on location, a decision which added greatly to the overall effect.

The earliest surviving screen adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, it is widely considered the original vampire movie. It would later become the depiction upon which all subsequent films of its type have been based.

Unfortunately, it was the first and last film ever made by Prana Films -– having never obtained the rights to the novel, Bram Stoker’s widow successfully sued for copyright infringement. All known existing prints were ordered to be destroyed and Prana was forced to declare bankruptcy. Fortunately, copies of the film had already been distributed around the world, preserving Murnau’s work for later generations.

ReelTime is pleased to offer this remarkable film to Grand Junction audiences. This is the third such collaboration with Warren Jones to be presented in the Grand Valley. Past performances include FANTASTIC PLANET and METROPOLIS.

Composer and Multi-Instrumentalist Warren Jones relocated from Wichita, Kansas to Boston in 1998 to study ethnomusicology at Tufts University. Prior to that, he gained an extensive jazz education at Wichita State University, which encouraged his tendencies towards free expression, world music, and technology.

He delved deeper into world music and culture through travel: Ghana, Spain, Morocco, India, Egypt, and China were among the countries he visited and documented with his own field recordings. Before moving to Boston, Warren recorded a solo demo featuring compositions employing rock rhythms, acoustic percussion, found objects, homemade instruments, and snippets of field recordings.

This would later become a blueprint for Enuma Elish, his Boston-based, critically acclaimed live soundtracking project. For Nosferatu, Warren will be going solo, using dark textures and a minimalist approach to create an unforgettable and terrifying Halloween experience.

This event is a true celebration of the power of music in film and promises to be a fun and unique way to enjoy the spirit of the holiday! Costumes are encouraged!

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