In a world increasingly dominated by digital streaming, a small organization in Portland, Oregon, is on a mission to revive the lost art of film projection and live musical accompaniment. Kinonik, a dedicated custodian of 16mm film, is offering movie lovers a chance to experience the magic of cinema as it was meant to be seen – on the big screen, with the whirring of a projector and the resonance of a grand piano.

Preserving the Essence of Cinematic Storytelling

The Allure of Celluloid

The article delves into the nostalgic appeal of the bygone era of film projection, where the experience of watching a movie was more than just passive consumption. It was a shared ritual, a commitment between the audience, the theater, and the filmmaker. The clicks and whirs of the projector, the flickering light, and the tangible connection to the filmmaking process all contributed to a more immersive and meaningful experience.

Kinonik's Cinematic Sanctuary

The article introduces Kinonik, a unique organization in Portland that has amassed an impressive collection of 16mm film prints, spanning the birth of cinema to the golden age of auteur filmmaking in the 1970s. Kinonik's mission is to preserve and share this cinematic heritage, offering screenings that transport audiences back to a time when moviegoing was a communal experience.

The Art of Live Musical Accompaniment

The article highlights Kinonik's new silent film series, where acclaimed pianist Carolyn Swartz will be providing live musical accompaniment to the classic German film "Faust." This melding of old and new, with a modern artist reinterpreting a silent film classic, promises to create a truly unique and captivating experience for the audience.

Swartz's Improvisational Approach

Swartz's approach to the live accompaniment is described as a form of performance art, where she responds viscerally to the film, creating an original and ever-changing score. Her jazz background and her ability to let moments resonate, go atonal, or introduce dissonance, all contribute to a deeply immersive and emotionally resonant experience for the audience.

The Importance of Communal Moviegoing

The article emphasizes the significance of Kinonik's screenings in bringing people together to experience movies as they were meant to be seen – on film, with the shared experience of a communal audience. This collective experience, the article argues, is a powerful antidote to the increasingly solitary nature of modern digital consumption.

The Allure of Kinonik's Screenings

The article concludes by highlighting the unique offerings of Kinonik, from their upcoming screening of the classic screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby" to the opportunity for audiences to rent a projector and experience the magic of 16mm film firsthand. The article invites readers to explore Kinonik and immerse themselves in the timeless art of cinematic storytelling.