Join Under the Mountain and Sleep In Cinema at the O’Neal Library on November 12, 2023 at 7 PM for a special FREE screening of the silent-era nightmare from Japan, A PAGE OF MADNESS (1926), featuring an original score performed live by Stephen McClurg.
Set in early 20th-century Japan, A PAGE OF MADNESS is a hallucinatory psychodrama about a man who takes a job as a janitor at a mental asylum in order to be near his wife. Although his wife suffers genuine mental anguish, the man believes he can rescue her—but his attempt to break her out only lead to death and even more madness.
Lost for 45 years until it was rediscovered by the director in his storehouse in 1971, Teinosuke Kinugasa’s A PAGE OF MADNESS (1926) is the product of an avant-garde group of artists in Japan known as the Shinkankakuha (or School of New Perceptions) who tried to overcome naturalistic representation in art. “Using superimpositions, rapid and insistent visual patterns, fantasy sequences, and the visual flamboyance of actors impersonating mad people, A Page of Madness builds an atmosphere of astonishing intensity.” (Chris Fujiwara, Ebertfest.com)
This screening is part of the No Longer Silent film screening series, which highlights significant and historic silent films with live accompaniment from local music talent to create a one-of-a-kind experience. This performance will be followed by a panel discussion from local organizations, giving the audience an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the ideas and concepts presented.
Our musical performer:
Stephen McClurg has been playing music around the Gulf Coast since the mid-90s. As a composer and improvisational musician, he collaborates with musical groups such as Serenity Dagger, The Spiritual Animal Kingdom, and Reverse Engineer. He is also the part-time bassist of the punk rock band Future Hate, and a staff writer for Horror DNA. Visit his website at www.stephenmcclurg.com.
Our panelists:
Yoshiyuki Hara was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and had his higher education here in the U.S., most recently in Wisconsin, where he completed his PhD in Japanese linguistics. His passion lies in understanding and exploring how languages are used, learned, and experienced. His research examines the process of language learning from socio-constructivist perspectives by employing conversation analysis as a primary methodological framework. More specifically, he studies how language learning is embedded and co-constructed in and through social interactions that occur in various settings, including the classroom, one-on-one sessions, and outside of the classroom conversations. Dr. Hara’s passion also extends to foreign language education that focuses on Japanese language and culture. He has taught Japanese language courses at all levels, during which he makes it a point to incorporate technology-enhanced tools, culturally significant materials, and the notion of critical pedagogy into language teaching. He further strives to apply research-generated insights into improving learners’ experiences both in and out of class.
Gareth Jones has taught Film Studies for 16 years in three states, currently at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition, he has worked for over twenty years for the Sundance Film Festival as a consultant for festival logistics in parking and transportation. He co-hosts a radio show on Substrate Radio about movies called Sleep In Cinema.
No Longer Silent is brought to you by Sleep In Cinema, which is a Substrate Radio program.
Doors at 6:30pm; movie at 7:00pm
A PAGE OF MADNESS (1926) 71min
This event is recommended for ages 15 and up.
Snacks, drinks, and complimentary adult beverages available with ID.
This screening is brought to you by Under the Mountain, your local series of horror-related events hosted by the O’Neal Library. Join us for exclusive horror author visits, chilling movie screenings, and many more macabre things to come.
Like us on Facebook and follow us @undrmtn on Instagram for the latest on upcoming events.
For more information about Sleep In Cinema, follow them on Facebook or @sleepincinemabham on Instagram and @sleepincinemaAL on X (formerly Twitter).
Under the Mountain can be reached at undrmtn@gmail.com
