Sight Unseen is pleased to partner once again with The Baltimore Museum of Art, in conjunction with the closing of German Expressionism: A Revolutionary Spirit, to present a rare screening of early experimental cinema produced during the extremely evocative era of German Expressionist art. Featuring the first abstract film screened publicly, Walther Ruttmann's Lichtspiel Opus I, as well as Opus II, Opus III and Opus IV, followed by the first animated feature, Lotte Reiniger's The Adventures of Prince Achmed, this special event stands the test of time as evidence of the livelihood and longevity of avant-garde cinema.

Oliver Shell, Associate Curator of European Painting and Sculpture, will introduce the screening and explore the cross-pollination of visual art and cinema in 1920s and 30s Germany.

The program is held in collaboration with MICA’s Department of Film and Video and sponsored in part by The Goethe-Institut Washington.

Lichtspiel Opus I, Opus II, Opus III & Opus IV
Walther Ruttmann, 1921-25, 35mm to digital, color, sound, 22 min
Music by Max Butting (Opus I), Joachim Bärenz (Opus II), Hanns Eisler (Opus III) & Helga Pogatschar (Opus IV)
Distribution provided by Filmmuseum München

The Adventures of Prince Achmed
Lotte Reiniger, 1923-26, 35mm to digital, color, sound, 66 min
Music by Wolfgang Zeller
Distribution provided by The Goethe-Institut

Film Synopses
http://sightunseenbaltimore.com/9-11-German-Expressionism-A-Revolutionary-Spirit