‘The most impressive film in the history of cinema.’ That was how Zonsopgang, better known as Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, was advertised in Dutch newspapers. Although the film was classified for adults, its complete version could be seen in cinemas throughout the Netherlands.
Yet not everyone in the country was shown the same film. The Eye Filmmuseum archive holds a remarkable Dutch print from which almost thirty minutes of scenes are missing. Who was this version intended for? Who decided which images had to disappear? And what do those choices reveal about film censorship in the south of the Netherlands?
In an extended introduction, festival director Daan van den Hurk sets out in search of answers. He discusses the film, its history of censorship and the challenge of writing new music for a shortened version. Unique deleted scenes and outtakes from the original film will also be shown.
Thanks to the San Francisco Film Preserve, this unusual version can be seen again. Even in shortened form, Murnau’s film remains remarkably powerful. This programme is for admirers of Sunrise, anyone curious about Dutch film history and visitors keen to compare two versions of the same masterpiece. The film will be accompanied live by a score composed especially for this version by Daan van den Hurk.
About the Netherlands Silent Film Festival
The Netherlands Silent Film Festival (NSFF) in Eindhoven is the largest festival dedicated to silent film in the Netherlands. In this original form of cinema, stories are told through images, expression and music. Without spoken dialogue, the inventiveness of the filmmakers takes centre stage.
At the festival and through programmes presented throughout the year, NSFF makes the cinematic heritage of the silent era accessible to a wide audience. It does so through film screenings, educational projects, workshops and lectures. The creativity and innovation of early cinema deserve to be seen and heard again.
For its programme, the NSFF team follows current developments in the international world of silent film, from recent rediscoveries and restorations to new research. Audience favourites share the bill with hidden gems, all presented with live musical accompaniment by international film musicians.
