A live film

Welcome to our world of cardboard dreams, painted fantasies, shabby costumes, beat-up performers, and cheap adventures. Our moon is made of paper, our mermaids knew better days. Welcome to our trick picture spectacle. Welcome to the cinema of attractions.

It is virtually impossible to over-estimate Georges Méliès’ contribution to the art of film. His work stands alone and is as distinctive as that of all great geniuses. His pioneering visual techniques still maintain a wonder to all ages and it comes as no surprise that audiences who witnessed a succession of vanishing ladies, flying severed heads, monstrous bats, and the devil personified were astonished in much the same way that audiences are today.

The Mechanical Paradise tells the story of Georges Méliès. His life’s stories are told via a series of short films created live on stage.

Performers: Irene Coticchio, Susanne Gschwendtner, Magda Loitzenbauer, Anna Mendelssohn, Markus Zett and Ahmet Aggün, Yeliz Akin, Duygu Arslan, Barca Baxant, Kira Fasbender, Isabella-Nora Händler, Sayyed Javid Hakim, Christina Lindauer, Onur Poyraz, Michael Pöllinger, Melike Yagiz
Set: Paul Horn
Music/Live Band: Michael Strohmann (b), David Schweighart (git, dr), Ina Ebensberger (hrf)
Written and directed by Yosi Wanunu
Produced by Kornelia Kilga

In collaboration with Filmarchiv Austria/Metro Kino, Vienna April 20 – 29, 2016