Lindy Heyman & Leigh Campbell on Kicks at EIFF 09

Jun 2, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

Kicks is a markedly assured feature debut from Lindy Heymann. An intelligent and witty comment on modern celebrity culture and the darker side of obsession, the story captures the intense chemistry between two friends as well as the vulnerability and yearning of adolescent emotions. Screenwriter Leigh Campbell and director Lindy Heyman talked to us at Edinburgh International Film Festival last year when the film premiered.  The trailer is included in the interview so check it out and go and see it this weekend - out Friday!

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Femme Fatales & Clowning Women in Sound & Silents

May 26, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo who stars in The Temptress

This week we present a selection of three of our very best live music to silent film commissions ever in: Sound & Silents, BEV’s mini-season of live music to silent film. The events including The Temptress with music from Natalie Clein in which Greta Garbo stars as a melancholy vamp in an emotional rollercoaster with live musical accompaniment from the Classical Brit Award Winning cellist, My Best Girl accompanied by The Elysian Quartet; A delightful romantic comedy starring Mary Pickford with music from the only British string quartet of its generation dedicated exclusively to contemporary and experimental music and I Don’t Want to be a Man! accompanied by Zoe Rahman + The Danger Girl accompanied by Juice; A fantastic double bill of silent comedy featuring Ossi Oswalda and Gloria Swanson with music from the acclaimed jazz pianist and experimental vocal trio. Although we have been blogging like mad about the musicians we have not said much about these iconic films. Screened originally as part of our festival seasons Screen Seductresses: Vamps, Vixens & Femmes Fatales and Clowning Glories: Women in Film Comedy Before 1930 here’s a bit about each upcoming film, the musians compositions and some fascinating articles about femme fatales and funny women. Read the full story

Experimental Elysians Chat to BEV

May 21, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

The Elysian Quartet

Elysian Quartet

Elysian Quartet are one of the UK’s most innovative young ensembles. They have worked with artists as diverse as virtuoso beat-boxer Killa Kela, jazz pianist Keith Tippett, and experimental electronic composer Simon Fisher-Turner. Next week, on Friday the 28th May at 7.30 they will accompany laugh a minute comedy starring the iconic Mary Pickford, My Best Girl as part of our Sound and Silents Season.

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Brit Award-Winning Cellist Natalie Clein Talks To BEV

May 20, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

Natalie Clein

Natalie Clein

Natalie Clein’s exceptional musicality has earned her a number of prestigious prizes including the Classical Brit Award for Young British Performer, the Ingrid zu Solms Cultur Preis at the 2003 Kronberg Academie, and the BBC Young Musician of the Year aged just 16. Her playing is incredibly passionate. On the May 27th she brings her improvised accompaniment to the brilliant silent vampy flick The Temptress starring Greta Garbo as part of our Sound and Silents season. We caught up with her earlier this week. Read the full story

BEV chats to Zoe Rahman

May 13, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

Zoe Rahman

Zoe Rahman

Zoe Rahman has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. Described in The Observer as “one of the finest young pianists in Europe”,  Zoe has recorded four critically acclaimed albums. Melting Pot, was nominated for the Nationwide Mercury Prize and was voted ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.

We are lucky enough to have her performing her specially commissioned live score to I Don’t Want To Be A Man! On the 29th May as part of out Sound and Silents Season. Here’s what she had to say.

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Sound & Silents Video Tasters: Natalie Clein / Zoe Rahman / The Elysian Quartet

May 12, 2010 | No Comments | ByClare Callan

As part of our Sound and Silents Season coming up in a couple of weeks classical Brit Award winning cellist Natalie Clein, Mercury Award nominated jazz pianist Zoe Rahman and the only British string quartet of its generation dedicated exclusively to contemporary and experimental music, The Elysian Quartet will perform their specially commissioned live accompaniments to four silent films featuring icons such as Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson.

From sultry femme fatale filled drama to slapstick romanic comedy, the films The TemptressI Don’t Want to Be A Man! and My Best Girl are brought to life by these accomplished musicians. To give you a taste of their sound we have selected some of our favourite videos of them performing live from trusty Youtube.

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