Columbus musician Derek DiCenzo provides live accompaniment for this evening of silent films.

Often described as the first American independent film, The Salvation Hunters shocked audiences and the film industry alike with its gritty portrayal of a young couple desperately trying to survive in the big city. The film is the first directed by Josef von Sternberg (The Blue Angel, Shanghai Express). (72 mins., 35mm)

In the Land of the Head Hunters is the first feature-length film with a cast comprised entirely of indigenous North Americans. The film reflects the contemporary life of British Columbia's Kwakwaka'wakw people but—like the seminal documentary Nanook of the North produced nearly ten years later—relies primarily on fictionalized events and staged ceremonies. Director Edward S. Curtis is perhaps better known for his still photographs of native Americans, which have been both admired for chronicling a disappearing way of life and criticized for perpetuating romanticized stereotypes. (70 mins., 35mm)

The program begins with Oil, a lyric documentary produced by a Los Angeles collective of amateur filmmakers (8 mins., 35mm).

Preservation of The Salvation Hunters funded by The Stanford Theatre Foundation. Preservation of In the Land of the Head Hunters funded by the National Film Preservation Foundation and The Stanford Theatre Foundation. Preservation of Oil funded by The Stanford Theatre Foundation.

Special thanks to Mimi Brody of the UCLA Film & Television Archive for organizing this tour.

In the Land of the Head Hunters will begin at 8:45 PM.