The Executives Enlivens Orlac’s Hande

Posted on August 29, 2015

A scene from ORLAC’S HANDE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

There’s nothing like a 30 piece big band to compliment scenes and set the mood for Austrian silent film Orlac’s Handë. The 1940s jazzy, bluesy soundtrack by The Executives Band gave an upbeat tempo. In slower moments when the character is more pensive a singular guitar would perfectly accompany the scene. The live element from such a storied and skillful ensemble is something everyone can and should experience. Butch Roxas, lead guitarist of The Executives Band, composed music for Orlac’s Handë. Musical direction was handled by Butch Silverio who is also on trumpet.

from left: The Executives musical director Butch Silverio, Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier, composer Butch Roxas, Austrian Chargée d’Affaires Gabriele Zobl-Kratschmann and keyboardist Martin Macalintal. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The 9^th International Silent film fest opened with Orlac’s Handë from Austria to the delight of audiences last night August 27, 2015 at the Shang Cineplex, Shangri-la Plaza Mall. Austria is only one of 9 countries participating in the event that combines classic silent films with live music from top international and local bands. The fest has always had a free entrance on a first come first served basis. So please do check schedules and fall in line at least an hour before screening to increase chances of attending this extraordinary treat.

The Executives Band provided music for ORLAC’S HANDE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The 9 countries include [Aug 27] AUSTRIA- THE HANDS OF ORLAC with The Executives Band, [Aug 28] PHILIPPINES-BRIDES OF SULU with Kjwan, JAPAN-PEERLESS PATRIOT, FIGHTING FRIENDS JAPANESE STYLE, A STRAIGHTFORWARD BOY and A BUDDHIST MASS FOR GOEMON ISHIKAWA with Hidden Nikki, [Aug 29] THAILAND-THE OVERTURE with The Royal Thai Navy Traditional Ensemble, GERMANY-SYMPHONY OF A GREAT CITY with Pierre Oser & Big Jazz Balloon, SPAIN-DON JUAN TENORIO with The Ding Dong Fiel Trio, [Aug 30] FRANCE-THE CRAZY RAY with Ian Lofamia Blues Band and ITALY-THE LAST DAYS OF POMPEII with The Dawn, USA- SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS with Razorback.

Austrian Chargée d’Affaires Gabriele Zobl-Kratschmann. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Orlac’s Handë is a touching tale of redemption for a concert pianist Paul Orlac (Conrad Veidt) who lost his hands in a train accident. A miraculous transplant by Dr. Serral (Hans Homma) gives Orlac a new chance at life. An executed murderer the day before the accident allows Dr. Serral to use transfer those hands to the injured concert pianist.

The Executive Band’s Marie Puyat has big finish. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Directed by Austrian Robert Wiene the look and style of the film is considered to be part of the German Expressionist movement. Although it can also be considered as a precursor to the film noir look and in terms of story of later work in the 1930s and 40s. This is highlighted by the big band sound provided by The Executives Band established by the late Senator Raul Manglapus. There’s a strong element of mystery, a whodunit or how crimes were committed in the story based on French novelist Renard’s work: Les Mains d’Orlac.

The Executives Band’s Butch Roxas composed the soundtrack for ORLAC’S HANDE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

A French British production called The Hands of Orlac was also produced in the 1960s starring Mel Ferrer and Christopher Lee. France’s own entry to this year’s Silent film fest is about ray that freezes people in Paris. Their film Paris Qui Dort (THE CRAZY RAY) will be accompanied by music from Ian Lofamia Blues Band.

Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier; Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

FDCP Executive Dir Teodoro Granados during his speech noted, “The Silent Film Festival casts attention and gives recognition to archivists all over the world who tirelessly work to search, take care and restore these films so that we and future generations are able to witness such cinematic heritage. This sentiment we also share at the National Film Archives of the Philippines. It is vital for us to remember that our heritage is what keeps our cultures alive and flourishing.”

from right: FDCP Proj Dev Officer Quintin Cu Unjieng, FDCP Head of Cinema Evaluation & Coordination Wilma Isleta, Shangri La Plaza Mktg Div Head Marlene Concio-Dualan, FDCP Exec Dir Teddy Granados and Black Vomit (bassist) Igan D Bayan. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Presented by Goethe Institut Phil, Instituto Cervantes Mla, the Japan Foundation Mla, Philippine-Italian Association, Film Development Council of the Philippines and Embassies of Austria, France, Thailand and United States of America. The 9th international Silent Film festival is made possible in partnership with Shang Cineplex, Shangri-La Plaza, JEC Philippines (Austria), the National Film Center of the Museum of Modern Art Tokyo and Shochiku Co. Ltd. the embassies of Italy and Spain, Filmoteca De Catalunya, Institut Francais and EUNIC Philippines.

The Executive Band’s Butch Silverio was musical director for ORLAC’S HANDE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Kjwan provided music for Philippines’ BRIDES OF SULU. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Japan Foundation dir (Outgoing) Shuji Takatori, (incoming) Hiroaki Uesugi, Clarisse Lukban, Inst Cervantes Cuktural Affairs Head Jose Fons Guardiola, Shang Plaza Mktg Div Head Marline Concio Dualan and Shang Plaza Mktg Officer Mimi Tecson. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Hidden Nikki provided music for Japan’s 4 classic comedies. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Marie Puyat of The Executives Band at the EAST WING of Shang Plaza during cocktails before the opening. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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The Executives Band with Austrian Cultural Attaché Lisbeth Strohmeier and Austrian Chargée d’Affaires Gabriele Zobl-Kratschmann. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Thai Royal Navy Ensemble used traditional Thai instruments for THE OVERTURE. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from right: PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca, Italian Emb Attaché Tilly De Niehilo and Italpinas Architect Alessandra Abbruzzese. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: Japan Foundation Prog Coordinator Cyril Constantino, Inst. Cervantes Head of Cultural Affairs Jose Fons, Goethe Inst Dir. Petra Raymond, Japan Foundation Proj Coordinator Roland Samson & PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from right: Abe Pagtama, FDCP’s Wilma Isleta, Quintin Cu Unjieng and Teddy Granados. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Ding dong Fiel Trio provided the music for Spain’s DON JUAN TENORIO. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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from left: FDCP Proj Coordinator Ina Avellan Cosio, PIA Proj Coordinator Cristina Moricca, Inst. Cervantes Head of Cultural Affairs Jose Fons, Japan Foundation Prog Coordinator Cyril Constantino & Goethe Inst Dir. Petra Raymond. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

Big Jazz Balloon employed traditional Filipino instruments like the kulintang. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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HIDDEN NIKKI from left: Jason Conanan, Gilbert Asuque, Japan Foundation Dir Shuji Takatori, Tomoko Takatori, Aaron Gonzalez & Abby Clutario. Watch Silent films for free w top musicians providing live soundtrack on the 9th Silent film Festival at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza from August 27-30, 2015. Photo by Jude Bautista

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