Northern Silents: The Hands of Orlac

Northern Silents: The Hands of Orlac Gruesome horror meets haunting surrealism on a dark, stormy night when two passenger trains collide head‑on in a devastating accident. Among the injured is the celebrated concert pianist Paul Orlac, forever altered when surgeons graft onto him the hands of a recently executed murderer. Paralyzed by his loss and now haunted by spectral visions, Orlac becomes convinced that the dead man’s spirit has taken possession of his own life. In this unsettling 1924 psychological thriller, director Robert Wiene reunites with the magnetic Conrad Veidt—followed by their landmark collaboration in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari—whisking audiences into a whirlwind of mood‑laden imagery and dire tension. Experience the film in a wholly immersive way with live music performed by the improvising Frame Ensemble—pianist Jonny Best, violinist Susannah Simmons, cellist Liz Hanks, and percussionist Trevor Bartlett. Their music is created entirely in the moment, responding to each frame, each heartbeat. No two Frame performances ever are the same; each score unfolds spontaneously, breathing fresh life into the onscreen drama with a soundscape that is intimately alive. Ready for an unforgettable cinematic tour? Join us for this singular live‑performance film event, where sound, image, and atmosphere collide in a pulse‑ticking, emotionally charged experience. Details & tickets