NSFF | The Veil of Happiness

A blind Chinese poet finds solace in his belief that the world around him is filled with goodness. However, when his sight suddenly returns, he is confronted by the harsh reality, leading him to make a significant decision. Accompanied by music composed by none other than Gabriel Fauré for the original play by Georges Clemenceau. Despite his fascination with China, writer Georges Clemenceau never visited the country. For this film, he collaborated with director Édouard-Émile Violet, who shared this passion. Violet decided to cast non-professional Chinese actors, which adds an extra layer of authenticity to the film. The only remaining copy of the film is from the collection of the Eye Filmmuseum. Though not entirely complete, the story holds strong with the remaining material. The restoration was carried out by CNC in France. What few people know is that the great composer Gabriel Fauré composed the original score for Clemenceau's stage play in 1901, in an Oriental style. This music was never published, but the manuscript has been digitized. Based on this sheet music, silent film composer Daan van den Hurk has created a new score that will premiere exclusively during this performance. SHORT FILMS FANTASTIC FLOWERS: Fabrication des fleurs artificielles (FR, 1911). Directed by: Unknown. Length: 6 min. Dutch intertitles. English subtitles. Experience an entire weekend filled with silent film and live music. Opt for a day ticket or a pass and immerse yourself in the world of early cinema.