Films

Murnau’s iconic adaptation of Goethe’s Faust echoes the dreamlike surrealism of his silent films like Nosferatu. Pious alchemist Faust despairs over his failure to stop a vicious plague sweeping over the land. Locked in a battle against God for Faust’s soul, Satan sends the clever Mephisto to tempt Faust with a cure and a day’s return to youth. Faust falls to temptation, trading his soul for eternal youth and Mephisto’s servitude. He pursues a love affair with an innocent, beautiful woman that thrusts them both into damnation after she kills the infant born of their affair in a moment of madness. Their redemption hangs in the balance, a pawn in the games of unearthly spirits both below and above.

With live musical accompaniment composed by John D’earth and the Free Bridge Quintet

Note: This event is presented by the U.Va. McIntire Department of Music, and as such, Virginia Film Festival ticket vouchers, donor and sponsor benefits, and badges cannot be redeemed for tickets.