FILM
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HIPPODROME FESTIVAL OF SILENT CINEMA Annual celebration of soundless fi lm classics returns to West Lothian
If you thought silent film was all about damsels in distress roped to railway lines and melodramatic piano accompaniment – well, admittedly some of it is. But Bo’ness’ Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema sets out to put a whole new slant on this unfairly neglected art form – and to introduce it to a whole new audience – by inviting an eclectic collection of musicians to create and perform live soundtracks to classic movies from the 1920s and 30s, or even earlier. In its fifth anniversary year, some are silent movie aficionados (like film critic Mark Kermode with his rockabilly band the Dodge Brothers, or renowned silent movie pianist Neil Brand) with years of experience of making up accompaniments on the spot. But others – such as Borders folk fiddler Shona Mooney or klezmer five-piece Moishe’s Bagel – are working with film for the very first time. Either way, the focus is on the interaction between the two art forms, and Bo’ness’ historic venue – the intimate, art deco Hippodrome, dating back to 1912 – only adds to the ambience. This year things expand out from the Hippodrome screenings with the chance to sample recipes from the Joan Crawford cookbook, rail-related films in a pop-up cinema at Bo’ness Station on the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, and even a late-night cabaret in a local pub. (David Kettle) ■ Bo’ness, Wed 18–Sun 22 Mar. The full programme will be announced on Tue 10 Feb.
58 THE LIST 5 Feb–2 Apr 2015