29 October 2009
The BBC Big Screen Liverpool brings you Unsilent Night - an evening of silent film coupled with live new music - in Clayton Square.

Unsilent Night is a free public screening of classic silent shorts and archive film celebrating early pioneers in collaboration with contemporary musicians from across the North West. BBC Radio Merseyside's Popular Music Show (PMS) will host Fonik featuring TanDog (Warrington), a.P.a.T.t. (Liverpool) and Frakture (Manchester) performing newly commissioned soundtracks to each film as they are broadcast live in Clayton Square, asserting a connection between historic and contemporary methods in cinematic composition.

Shorts include arguably the first ever narrative film The Great Train Robbery (1903); a man whose affliction sets the world shaking in That Fatal Sneeze (1903); Georges M�li�s' dreamlike Voyage a travers l'impossible (1904); the Arabian tale of Aladin ou la lampe merveilleuse (1906) plus Tea Party and Jitter Bug, exclusive edits by TanDog of Prelinger Archive footage of Disneyland in the 1960s and New York World Fair (1939 � 40).

Last year's feature-length screening of Nosferatu with a new score by local musicians attracted more than 500 people. This month's event will comprise of shorts lasting ten minutes or less, enabling observers to come and go during a more flexible viewing schedule. Bren O'Callaghan, the BBC's Big Screen Manager says, 'We wanted to continue the partnership [between silent film and modern music] but try something new, instead of returning to the ''one fat film'' format. Generally speaking, the screen appeals to transient audiences so, even though we know that during our special events people will stick around for longer, I wanted to also reach out to passers-by and those shopping at the adjacent supermarket on their way home�'

Viewers are in for some unforgettable moments, Bren continues, 'It's also an attempt to show that early cinema doesn't have to be locked away in a cupboard and can still appeal, or even shock, modern audiences - I defy anyone not to be creeped out by the genie in Aladdin - it's not every day you see a 7ft giant in a green body stocking with a full nappy hump and a tangerine beard - it's the stuff of nightmares!' Perhaps it is appropriate, then, that the event precedes Halloween weekend and the public are advised to please dress warmly for changeable evening weather as this is an outdoor event.

The public will be able to view the music performance at BBC Merseyside subject to maximum capacity, though the films themselves accompanied by the live score can only be seen at the BBC Big Screen Liverpool in Clayton Square. This event is free and limited outdoor seating will be provided.

For audiences at the BBC Big Screen, Norwegian saw player Ragnhield Zeigler will perform her ethereal compositions between brief changeover periods.

The musical soundtracks will be recorded and broadcast on BBC Radio Merseyside's Popular Music Show on Sundays with Roger Hill and Karen Timms at midnight during the following weeks.

Big Screen Liverpool, Clayton Square
Thursday 29th October
7pm until approx. 8.30pm
FREE

Brought to you by Northwest Vision & Media and Liverpool City Council, in association with Liverpool Music Week and PMS: Popular Music Show on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8FM.
Awarded London 2012 Olympic Inspire Mark for cultural innovation.