Not-so-silent Cinema
current Project
Pull up a deck chair at Federation Square's outdoor stage and join us in celebrating the early days of cinema.
Free, classic silent films with live soundtracks by Australian composers and bands in front of the big screen in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
The Silent Films with Live Scores returns for its third consecutive year, with a program of classic silent films set to bespoke live scores performed by some of Australia’s most exciting electronic, jazz and breakthrough composers and musicians.
The 2024 program includes:
- The 1918 Australian romantic classic The Sentimental Bloke accompanied by a live score by Paul Mac (13 February)
- A screening of Surrealist Shorts with a contemporary jazz live score by Peter Knight and Dũng Nguyễn (20 February)
- The timeless 1923 American film Our Hospitality with an original live score by 5-piece ensemble Blue Grassy Knoll (27 February).
Films start from 8pm each night at sunset on the outdoor stage at Fed Square.
Performance History
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
ACMI and Federation Square (2021) →
Australia
The Adventures of Prince Achmed (Lotte Reiniger, Germany 1926) with live score by Phillip Johnston
Sherlock, Jr. (Buster Keaton, USA 1924) with live score by Blue Grassy Knoll
Metropolis (Fritz Lang, Germany 1927) with live score by The New Pollutants
Dr Plonk (Rolf de Heer, Australia 2007) with live score by the Stiletto Sisters
Media
“This splendid entertainment is a breathing, shared creative triumph”
“Their sheer brilliance, inventiveness and musical humour added the perfect touches to Keaton’s whimsical adventures… The Blue Grassy Knoll could not have scored the film any better.”
“Not-So-Silent Cinema 2022 sees the return of Australia’s only free festival of silent classics accompanied by stunning live scores. It’s a wonderful experience to watch these films at Fed Square on a summer’s evening, as the sun goes down behind the big screen and the city lights begin to come to life around you.”
Credits
Supporters
