On Monday, November 11, 2024, the 38th Braunschweig International Film Festival traditionally begins with an opening film concert. This year, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT will celebrate its German premiere in the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig. The opening film concert is presented in cooperation with the Braunschweig State Orchestra and the Braunschweig State Theatre, supported by the co-main sponsor of the opening film concert BS|Energy and sponsored by the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation.
The 38th Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF) will be ceremoniously opened on Monday, November 11, with the opening film concert in the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig - with a German premiere that will delight fans of the horror genre and film classics alike. BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT will be performed here for the first time. "Since 2019, we have been dreaming of one day playing BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA as the opening film concert in Braunschweig. The fact that we are now taking the plunge and bringing this mammoth project to Braunschweig fills me with pride, respect and, above all, immense anticipation. Being able to present the German premiere of the film concert in Braunschweig is already one of my highlights during my time here at the BIFF," explains Co-Festival Director Karina Gauerhof full of anticipation.
The Braunschweig International Film Festival is also delighted that BS|ENERGY has agreed to be the co-main sponsor of the opening film concert. Board member Matthias Henze explains: "The film festival brings international, top-class film culture to the region - and has been doing so for almost 40 years. This important event makes the medium accessible at a low threshold, and does so in a special way through formats such as the opening film concert." He adds: "The BIFF is already well known to us as a partner - we are delighted to be involved in this cultural highlight."
Coppola's vision becomes reality
"I want the score for DRACULA to be like a Prokofiev score for Eisenstein. I want it to be performed by symphony orchestras," wrote director Francis Ford Coppola in his diary in 1991. This wish is now coming true. The Braunschweig International Film Festival and the Braunschweig State Orchestra invite you to the German premiere of BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT in the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig. "It was an offer I couldn't refuse," Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013) recalled the origin of his greatest success. Although he had previously written dozens of soundtracks for European films, it was this film that secured Kilar's place among the great film music legends and earned him the ASCAP Award and a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Film Music. Kilar's haunting music, combined with Coppola's visually stunning production, makes BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT an almost operatic experience.
"As a festival, you are constantly reinventing yourself"
In Coppola's reinterpretation of the Dracula myth, in which Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves and Anthony Hopkins, among others, shine, the infamous count meets the spitting image of his former lover in London in 1897. An epic battle for life, death and redemption begins. BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, a darkly erotic tale full of passion, received special recognition for its return to Bram Stoker's original 1897 novel. The film was nominated for four Oscars and won three - in the categories Best Costume Design, Best Make-up and Best Sound Editing. "As a festival, you are constantly reinventing yourself and trying to cover different emotions, target groups and genres - after a very child-friendly opening film concert last year, I am very much looking forward to getting spooky together with the audience on 11.11. at the start of the 38th BIFF and following a great cast and a great Braunschweig State Orchestra," outlines Co-Festival Director Anke Hagenbüchner-Sobiech.
Special partnerships will be continued
While Coppola's impressive images flicker across the screen, the Braunschweig State Orchestra, conducted by Frank Strobel, will give the audience goosebumps with its live interpretation of the film music in the Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig. This marks the 22nd year of a special partnership between the BIFF and the State Orchestra. "This will be a very special experience: Francis Ford Coppola's DRACULA with the haunting music of Wojciech Kilar played live by the Braunschweig State Orchestra. The cooperation between the BIFF and the State Theatre is fruitful for both partners and incredibly valuable for this city. Where else can you find that? A renowned international festival and a local orchestra that is at home with film music," enthuses Verena Rast, orchestra director of the Braunschweig State Theatre.
Another successful collaboration is being continued with the renewed support of the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation. "The Braunschweig International Film Festival is not only an important cultural event in the region, but also living proof of the power and influence of film on our society," explains Maria-Rosa Berghahn, Director of the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation. "By supporting the film festival - specifically the opening film concert with a live soundtrack performed by the Braunschweig State Orchestra - the foundation is helping to promote and preserve cultural diversity and creativity in the region. This is not only a contribution to strengthening regional culture, but also to preserving and developing our shared cultural identity."
Advance ticket sales have already started
Advance sales for the opening film concert have already started. Tickets can be purchased online at filmfest-braunschweig.reservix.de/p/reservix/event/2299908 The opening film concert ticket can be used from three hours before the start until closing time for arrival and departure as a ticket for public transport in zone 40 of the BSVG. Backpacks and bags larger than A4 format (21.0 x 29.7 cm) are not permitted at the opening film concert.
From November 11 to 17, the yellow carpet will once again be rolled out at the Braunschweig International Film Festival. To increase the anticipation even more and to make sure you don't miss any news in the future, you can find the latest information on the festival program, special events and more at www.filmfest-braunschweig.de as well as on the festival's Facebook and Instagram channels.
KEY DATA
OPENING FILM CONCERT: BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT
When? Monday, 11.11.2024 I Start 7:30 pm / Admission 6:30 pm
Where?Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig
Europaplatz 1, 38100 Braunschweig
Tickets at filmfest-braunschweig.reservix.de/p/reservix/event/2299908
BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - LIVE IN CONCERT
Music composed and orchestrated by Wojciech Kilar
Film, directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola
FilmConcert produced by Fimucité and FMF (Krakow Film Music Festival)
in cooperation with Sony Pictures and Robert Townson Productions.
Music arranged by Thomas Bryła
Synchronization of the score by Don Davis
Distribution and art direction by European FilmPhilharmonic Orchestra - EFPI
Film with permission of Sony Pictures
Music with permission of G. Schirmer, Inc.
USA 1992 | color | 128 min plus pause | OVR | FSK 16
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Music: Wojciech Kilar (Polish composer, 1932 - 2013)
Performance: Staatsorchester Braunschweig (with choir and soloist)
Conductor: Frank Strobel
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Richard E. Grant, Sadie Frost, Tom Waits, Monica Bellucci