Film Screening Early Film Pioneers: Le Fantôme du Moulin-Rouge (1924)

Le Fantôme du Moulin-Rouge is another of Clair’s comic fantasies. Based on a novel by Walter Schlee, a young man unhappy in love agrees to be hypnotised by a performer at the Moulin Rouge nightclub. His freed spirit (the Phantom) goes on a mischievous escapade around the city, but he has to return to his comatose body to save the mesmerist from being charged with his murder. Along the way he foils a blackmail plot that had forced his girlfriend to agree to marry another.

This screening is part of Bristol Ideas’ #BristolFilm2021 Paris Season, in collaboration with South West Silents. It is presented as part of Opening Up the Magic Box, a heritage element of Film 2021 which marks the centenary of the death of Bristol-born film pioneer William Friese-Greene and the 125th anniversary of the first public cinema screening in Bristol, which took place at the Tivoli on 8 June 1896, as well as celebrating Bristol – a UNESCO City of Film since 2017.

Live musical accompaniment by Stephen Horne and Elizabeth Jane Baldry

Stephen Horne has long been internationally considered one of the leading silent film accompanists. A house pianist at London’s BFI Southbank for 30 years, he has played at all the major UK venues and recorded music for many DVD releases of silent films. Although principally a pianist, he often incorporates other instruments into his performances, sometimes simultaneously.

Elizabeth-Jane Baldry studied at Exeter University and the Royal College of Music and now gives around eighty performances a year from recitals in historic houses or on specialist arts cruises to weddings and funerals. She is the only silent movie harpist in the world, performing live accompaniment to cinema screenings of early film. Her compositions have been used by ITV, the BBC and by Irish, Japanese, Danish and Canadian film, radio and television. She has performed to sold-out audiences in the US, in Italy and in France.

Booking Information

Booking is via the Arnolfini box office. If you’re unable to book online we aim to keep a number of spaces available on the day, please speak to a member of staff on arrival. Should you need assistance, we have a priority entry system in place. 

Keeping Everyone Safe

We are looking forward to welcoming more people into Arnolfini. However, we appreciate that the number of covid infections, particularly in Bristol, remain high at the present time and it remains our priority that everyone wanting to visit Arnolfini can do so with confidence and feel safe, this includes considering the needs of disabled and clinically vulnerable. For events taking place in our theatre, places will be limited, seating will be distanced, and face coverings are requested to be worn, to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19.

• Our team will continue to wear face coverings and we ask you do so too, particularly to consider those who have disabilities or are clinically vulnerable.
• At Arnolfini Harbourside Bar, customers will be asked to continue to wear face coverings while moving around the Bar, both inside and out. The team will continue to wear face coverings too.
• We have reduced the maximum capacity to make your visit safe and more comfortable.
• We have extra sanitising and cleaning facilities in high touch point areas. Hand sanitising stations can be found throughout the building. Please use sanitiser provided on entry to the building.

We will be reviewing this regularly based on infection rates in Bristol and beyond and remain committed to creating a safe environment for all our visitors and community friends. We hope to be able to increase capacity as and when the situation allows. We really appreciate your cooperation with this policy.

If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, are self-isolating or have been contacted in accordance with the track and trace system, please do not enter the building. All members of our team are checked accordingly too.

Arnolfini have been awarded We’re Good to Go certification from Visit England. For more information about the accreditation and scheme please visit www.visitbritain.org/were-good-go-industry-standard-all-sectors-tourism-industry

Accessibility

Our lifts are reserved for users with accessibility needs only. We ask everyone else to use the stairs for which there are social distancing measures in place. Please check no one is using the stairs before you go either up or down. Please be aware of those who may need assistance and avoid using the handrail where possible.

Our toilet facilities are currently limited for visitors and customers only, subject to availability. There is a list of public toilets available within Bristol at www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/public-toilets. 

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