You'll always meet interesting people at the Hoffman Center!
A colorful crowd gathered for the first movie in what we hope becomes an ongoing Film Series. It was Halloween Night after all, and we screened the 1922 silent film classic Nosferatu. Film afficionados, Craig Nern and Terri Desaro organized the event. Craig introduced the film with interesting facts about the movie’s inception. It was in effect an unauthorized interpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Only a few names were changed, but otherwise the story was basically the same.
An excellent example of the Expressionist movement in film, Nosferatu has a dark and moody atmosphere — perfect for Halloween — and Max Schreck (whose last name in German means ‘fright’), played his role to perfection. A creepier vampire would be hard to find (even Klaus Kinski couldn’t do it better, in the 1979 remake Nosferatu, the Vampyre).
Who is that lady with the Fez?
Right now we’re looking for volunteers to further develop the Hoffman Center Film Series. We’re lucky enough to have received start-up funds for the movie licensing fees for several more shows, as well as promotional activities. If you love movies and maybe have even dreamed of running your own cinema or film festival, here’s a splendid opportunity to go for it. If you’re interested, email us at hoffmancenter@nehalemtel.net.
I’ve watched Nosferatu perhaps five or six times and it always seems timeless to me. Some of the scenes are a little dated, but the overall mood and visual style is perfectly dreamlike in its depiction of horror. I love the rodent aspect of Count Orlok….vs the modern romantic/tragic anti-hero type.
The Hoffman Center screening had a modern orchestral soundtrack that I thought was superior to the typical pipe organ versions. While somewhat more contemporary in sound it was not in opposition to the 1920′s feel of the film. That particular disc, from Image Entertainment, also has a commentary soundtrack by a film critic that is very interesting. If you ever decide to rent or buy the film, be sure to get the Image version as most others are of poor quality and have terrible music.