The Circus – A Film Screening with Live Sound Effects by the Foley-Amor Ensemble

  • Archive - Festival 39
  • English
  • Subtitles in Hebrew

A Charles Chaplin film | USA 1928

72 min., Silent, Hebrew subtitles

 

A groundbreaking multidisciplinary performance, the first of its kind in Israel, seamlessly blending cinema, live sound effects, props, movement and acting. The Foley-Amor Ensemble will bring to life on stage the sound effects for Charles Chaplin's iconic film, The Circus. Through the artful manipulation of mechanical objects, everyday accessories, and specially crafted props, the ensemble will recreate the actors' movements and atmosphere, providing a fresh perspective on the film.

 

The show brings to the forefront the captivating and often concealed world of foley artists – an art form originating from the radio dramas of 1920s America. During this era, studios employed skilled sound technicians to generate a variety of sound effects using carefully selected props, enriching the narrative and dialogues, and adding an additional layer to the listeners' experience. The most notable figure among those sound artists was Jack Foley, a pioneering force who developed and elevated the craft of sound in the film industry. The performance will showcase the same techniques developed by Foley nearly a century ago, which continue to be employed in modern-day filmmaking.

 

The auditory experience, comprising music and sound effects, takes on heightened significance when applied to a silent film devoid of spoken dialogue. This sonic enhancement elevates the viewing experience and draws the audience even closer to the unfolding narrative of the film.

 

About the film: The tramp, portrayed by Chaplin, arrives at the circus and unwittingly ascends to stardom. He falls in love with the circus manager's daughter and tries to impress her to the point of undertaking a perilous tightrope walk. A timeless classic, family-friendly romantic comedy.

 

Direction: Tamar Meir
Artistic direction: Tamar Meir, Elad Cohen-Bonen

 

The Ensemble cast:

Efrat Aviv - Theater, film and TV Actress, Content Creator and founder of Ensemble Ziporella.

Ruthy Aharoni - Choreographer, Dancer, and Multidisciplinary Creator (Mayumana, Keren Peles' Cabaret).

Matan Dorembus - Foley artist (DB Studios), musician and DJ (Fauda, Tehran, The Boys).

Elad Cohen-Bonen - Musician, Composer and Musical Producer, Drummer and Percussionist (Ehud Banai, Project 30, Hasmachot).