Live improvised score by Matt Hagen + special guest
Depending on your perspective, 1918 is either a strange or perfect time for a pacifist/utopian allegory like Holger-Madsen’s A Trip to Mars, the first film about an organized expedition into space (though Georges Méliès put us on the moon in 1902). The film didn’t strike a chord with Danish audiences of the time, exhausted in all ways from World War I. Still, it’s a pretty fabulous film, and its reputation has grown. The plot centers on Danish space explorers who land on Mars and discover a utopian, vegetarian society populated by people who look like attractive Danes headed to a toga party. In a very Star Trek move, the captain falls for the daughter of the planet’s patriarch, and things have to be made just so before she can accompany him back to earth. As always, Matt Hagen will fashion a fully improvised score for this remarkable silent film, creating a singular cinematic experience.
Matt Hagen is a Burlington, Vermont-based musician whose sound is as layered and unhurried as the Green Mountain seasons. His music varies from instrumental, genre bending guitar to intimate storytelling, with a voice that feels lived-in and genuine. A fixture in Vermont's independent music scene, Matt has earned recognition, trust, and respect as a standout voice in Burlington's vibrant creative community. Whether performing at premier clubs, intimate local venues, headlining events, supporting main stage acts, or tucked into a quiet corner of the city, he brings a rare authenticity that resonates long after the last chord fades. A seasoned songwriter, bandleader, and eclectic collaborator, Hagen writes and performs in a palatable fashion while unafraid to wander into strange sonic territory. It's music made for people who listen closely.