A new film made from more than 100 fragments of archive film featuring many places in Newcastle and across the North East was released earlier this week, and is available for view online. You can watch the film trailer here.
Yorkshire Silent Film Festival is releasing Echoes of the North; Four Chapters in Time for a limited period following its premiere in Morecambe last month. This new silent film with an original brass score will transport viewers back to Northern England a century ago.
Echoes of the North has been created in partnership with North East Film Archive, Yorkshire Film Archive, North West Film Archive, and London’s Archive Film Agency, and is edited by Andy Burns. It takes viewers down the highways and byways of northern life in the early 20th century - its industries and rural life, its wartimes and festivals, its holidays, family excursions and huge, city-wide occasions.
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The 60-minute film is accompanied by a new score – the first ever all-brass soundtrack for a silent film – composed by acclaimed composer and musician Neil Brand. Brand brings a unique touch to silent film, breathing new life into the rare and evocative images with his brass score.
The soundtrack was recorded – with support from digital agency The Space - live at the film’s premiere at Yorkshire Silent Film Festival in November, performed by the world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band with conductor Ben Palmer, who also orchestrated the score.
Neil Brand said: “If ever a marriage of two art forms was long overdue, it is this coming together of silent film and brass band music. The wonderful, resonant images of people going about their lives, work, play and conflict in the first 30 years of the last century spring to life with the timeless beauty of the brass band sound, music that evolves and matches every contrasting mood for us today, just as it could have done when these scenes were shot.
"I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to create scores for these images, and to work with one of the greatest bands in the world.”
Jonny Best, artistic director of Yorkshire Silent Film Festival, said: “Following the phenomenal reception at last month’s premiere, we’re excited to share Echoes of the North with viewers far and wide. We hope that people across the North, all over the UK, and further afield, will enjoy watching this one of a kind film.
"Whether you’re interested in the history and heritage of Northern England or simply love the glorious sound of brass, the beautiful archive footage combined with the stunning soundtrack will take you an emotional journey back in time.”
Echoes of the North was commissioned by No Dots with support from PRS Foundation’s Open Fund for Organisations, and Arts Council England. The premiere performance at the fifth Yorkshire Silent Film Festival in November 2022 was supported by BFI Film Audience Network with National Lottery funding as part of the CURIOUS engagement fund. The online release is supported by The Space, with funding from Arts Council England.
Audience members were thrilled with what they saw at the Echoes of the North premiere, with comments including: "A cultural highlight of my life", “Absolutely wonderful. So evocative. Really beautiful stuff,” and “What a fantastic piece of art. Funny, moving, all embracing. Absolutely stunning.”
You can view the full Echoes of the North here.
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