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20 May 2026 Anères (France)
Festival du Cinéma muet d'Anères: The Hands of Orlac (Orlac's hands)
Chamber Quartet - Festival d'Anères location
Program Info: Piano : Jacques Cambra Flute : Sidoine Carrez Saxophone : Raoul Sail-Lefebvre Vibraphone, drums : Maxime Bentkowski
The Hands of Orlac (Orlac's hands) by Robert Wiene with Conrad Veidt, Alexandra Sorina, Fritz Kortner 1924 / Austria / 1h32 / DCP / original version with French subtitles Printed: Filmarchiv Austria (Austria)
Following a train accident, Paul Orlac, pianist, loses the use of both hands. New ones are then grafted onto him, which turn out to be those of a recently executed assassin...
Maurice Renard's impressive novel could not have been better adapted. The Germans excel at shooting these mystery and horror films that take place in a morbid atmosphere. They know how to get on our nerves, to share with us the anxieties of their characters. As for the technique, which is remarkable, it allows us to contemplate dark paintings à la Rembrandt where light and shadow play a primordial role, almost as important as that of the artists. If there were a Grand-Guignol for the cinema, Les Mains d'Orlac, like Caligari and Vanina, would be one of the great successes of the genre. Conrad Veidt's tormented mask lends itself admirably to the character of composer Paul Orlac. How impressive is this struggle between body and mind, between genius and the evil instincts of the unfortunate! The other performers chisel their silhouettes with great talent. What can be said of the frightening appearance of Paul Askôhàs! of the hideous mask of Frédéric Stiassny... What can we say about Alexandra Sorina's beautiful dramatic qualities.... Cinémagazine, 1924 – n° 46, 14 November 1924