Back to listing

Doha, Qatar; August 23, 2016: The Doha Film Institute Cinema (DFI Cinema) is launching a new thematic series, ‘A Symphony of Films’, in September following the success of the previous themed series; ‘Masters of Illusion’, ‘Science Fiction in Film-Spaceships in Cinema’ and ‘Fashion in Film: Costume as Character.’ The Institute is teaming up with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF); the British Embassy in Doha; and the British Council for the inaugural ‘A Symphony of Films’ series, that brings together the double delight of film screenings and live concerts.

‘A Symphony of Films’ will be held from September 22 to 26, 2016, at Katara Drama Theatre and Opera House. It promises two exceptional experiences for audiences including the Qatar premiere screening of German director FW Murnau’s expressionist horror film Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror/1922/German) with live accompaniment of the original score performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. Other films to be screened in the series include The Good, the Bad and the Ugly by Sergio Leone; North by Northwest by Alfred Hitchcock; free youth screening of the 3D film Brave by Pixar in the presence of Patrick Doyle; Akira Kurosawa’s Ran; Caramel by Nadine Labaki and Landscape in the Mist by Theo Angelopoulos.

Master film composer Patrick Doyle will further regale audiences in a live concert. Doyle is renowned for his works on Sense and Sensibility, Gosford Park, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, Thor, Cinderella, Carlito’s Way and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, among others. He will also conduct a master-class for film and music enthusiasts in Qatar on September 24 at 5pm at MIA Auditorium on the importance of music in film and the power a soundtrack can have over audiences.

Doyle’s concert, ‘A Symphony of Films,’ will highlight outstanding compositions from his career and also mark the 400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare with Doyle’s compositions for films based on the works of the Bard including Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, Henry V and As You Like It, with actor-director Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer of the Doha Film Institute, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and British Council’s Shakespeare Lives Programme for the new thematic series that marks a celebration of two of the most powerful artforms – music and film. ‘A Symphony of Films’ is a one-of-its-kind event that will further strengthen awareness and appreciation of the two artforms, in all their pristine and classic glory, among our community. The unique showcase of accomplished films, live music performance and the master-class will contribute to strengthening a deeper understanding of global film and music trends. It is our honour to welcome Patrick Doyle, a legendary film music composer, to mark our inaugural series that will also be a celebration of William Shakespeare on his 400th death anniversary year in partnership with Shakespeare Lives Programme.”

Patrick Doyle said: “I’m very much looking forward to my first trip to Qatar. To celebrate Shakespeare, in this 400th year anniversary of his death, we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to perform music from a selection of Shakespeare film adaptations that I’ve had the good fortune to work on with my friend Sir Kenneth Branagh. I am also delighted to present some world premieres from a selection of my films over the past 25 years. It’s a tremendous honour to be invited by the British Embassy in Doha, the British Council and the Doha Film Institute.”

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is a compelling work in cinema and an unauthorised adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Following a court ruling, the prints of the film were ordered to be destroyed; a few, however, were saved. Today, the film is regarded as a visual masterpiece, and has been voted as the second best-reviewed horror film. Film lovers in Qatar will now have a rare opportunity to watch the film to the accompaniment of live music.

Tickets to the performances are available at qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org and are priced QAR 75-200.
Tickets to the films screenings are available at www.dohafilminstitute.com and are priced QAR 35 with a QAR 10 discount available for students and Culture Pass by Qatar Museums holders. Brave and the Masterclass with Patrick Doyle are free events, but audiences are encouraged to reserve a free ticket for admission.