FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      contact: Carol OÕSullivan

July 24, 2008                                                                                         412-681-5449

 

Pittsburgh Filmmakers announces Devil Music Ensemble

to play with Red Heroine at the Regent Square Theater

 

Pittsburgh, PA -- The Devil Music Ensemble returns to Pittsburgh on Thursday, September 11th with a live performance of their original score for Red Heroine, one of the earliest silent martial arts films ever made. The DME pulls from the traditions of Chinese classical and folk music, as well as soundtracks from classic kung fu cinema, and is the only modern score made expressly for this film!

 

Red Heroine is the only surviving episode of the 13-part movie serial about a Chinese knight-errant. Like Sir Lancelot, Chinese Òknights-errantÓ roamed the territory protecting people from oppressive regimes. This lively tale follows the rise of a woman warrior with the genreÕs characteristic blend of pulp and mystical derring-do. The film begins when a band of outlaws raids a village, kidnaps a maiden, and causes the death of her grandmother. The young woman is rescued by a mysterious hermit called White Monkey, who teaches her his special skills. She re-emerges years later as a full-fledged warrior, ready to deploy her magic powers and avenge her grandmother's death. This is a rare chance to see a surviving example of a ÒwuxiaÓ (sword and sorcery) film from 1920Õs Shanghai – most were destroyed after the Communist Revolution – accompanied by a thrilling live score by BostonÕs Devil Music Ensemble. Subtitled. (Wen Yimin; China; 1929; 94 min)

 

The Devil Music Ensemble is an innovative musical trio whoÕve established a huge fan base and critical acclaim in the field of silent film accompaniment. Using a variety of instruments, their musical style ranges from chamber to jazz to post modern to rock.

 

The show begins at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at Pittsburgh FilmmakersÕ theaters and the reception desk at 477 Melwood Avenue (during hours of operation), or online at www.ticketweb.com. For more information: 412-681-5449 or www.pghfilmmakers.org.

 

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