Alloy Orchestra Presents: Variety (Varieté)

Alloy Orchestra has been called “the best in the world at accompanying silent films” by Roger Ebert, and features multi-instrumentalist Terry Donahue, director and percussionist (and former Iowa City resident) Ken Winokur, and keyboardist Roger C. Miller. Past films presented by Alloy Orchestra at the Englert include Metropolis, Nosferatu, The General, Lonesome, Page of Madness, and Man With a Movie Camera.

An unusual combination of found percussion and state-of-the-art electronics gives the Orchestra the ability to create any sound imaginable.

Utilizing their famous “rack of junk” and electronic synthesizers, the group generates beautiful music in a spectacular variety of styles. They can conjure up a French symphony or a simple German bar band of the 20’s. The group can make the audience think it is being attacked by tigers, contacted by radio signals from Mars or swept up in the Russian Revolution.

About Varieté:

1925, German – Directed by E. A. Dupont, 90 minutes
Staring Emile Jannings and Lya De Putti

A tale of love, deception, revenge and redemption – Varieté has long been considered one of the masterpieces of German cinema. Yet it has been almost impossible to see. The film has just been rereleased with an amazing new restoration.

The film takes place in the circus, and acting great Emile Jannings (the first ever recipient of the Academy Award for best actor) is the “catcher” for a great trapeze act. Jannings falls in love with the beguiling hoochy coochy dancer, played by Lya De Putti. All does not end well.

Amazing cinematography by Karl W. Freund (who later shot Metropolis), breathtaking trapeze stunts, and a great plot augment the wonderfully natural acting of the cast.