Der Golem, wie er in die Welt kam
Germany,
1920, 82 min
Shown in 2008
CREDITS
- dir
-
Paul Wegener, Carl Boese
- prod
-
Paul Davidson
- scr
-
Henrik Galeen
- cam
-
Karl Freund, Paul Wegener, Guido Seeber
- mus
-
Hans Landsberger, Kari-Emst Sasse
- cast
-
Paul Wegener, Albert Steinruck, Lyda Salmonova, Ernst Deutsch, Hans Stum, Max Kronert, Otto Paetzold
-
COMMENTS
Musicians Charles Thompson, Duane Jarvis and Jason Carter in attendance.
A silent classic and an exemplary specimen of German expressionist cinema, The Golem is set in 16th century Prague. A rabbi fashions a proto–Frankenstein’s monster, sculpted from rough clay and brought to life through sorcery, to protect the Jewish ghetto from a Christian emperor’s decree that it be dissolved. Through means both surprising and charming, the creature manages to stave off the wrath of the emperor and his court. But it eventually goes haywire, as the rabbi’s jealous assistant turns the golem toward evil. A true juggernaut, the golem destroys everything in its path. The last in a trilogy of films on the golem myth, all cowritten and codirected by Paul Wegener, The Golem depicts the labyrinthine ghetto as a baroque and anxious world of secrets and magic capable of producing amazing discoveries as well as horrific power. Wegener, who had a long career as an actor, plays the title character with odd grace. Photographed by master cinematographer Karl Freund (Metropolis, The Last Laugh), the film, in a beautiful archival print, remains visually stunning. But there are aural enchantments in store as well at this special screening. Black Francis (aka Frank Black), best known as the front man for the towering 1990s alt-rock band, the Pixies, will perform the world premiere of his original score for the film live and onstage at the Castro Theatre. One of the most influential songwriters and performers of his generation, Black Francis’s collaborative appearance with The Golem marks a unique outing in musical and cinematic history.
BLACK FRANCIS
Together with Kim Deal and Dave Lovering, Francis and Joseph Alberto Santiago formed the Pixies, one of the most influential bands in modern music. The Pixies disbanded in 1993 and Francis began a solo career as Frank Black and also formed the band Frank Black and the Catholics.
—Sean Uyehara
FACTOID #80
The globetrotting thespian Anthony Quinn attended the 1969 San Francisco International Film Festival in support of the Opening Night film The Secret of Santa Vittoria, in which he played the half-drunk mayor of an Italian hamlet, protecting his town’s wine collection from German soldiers.
