Canterbury’s film lovers are in for a cinematic treat with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra set to play the score live for iconic Buster Keaton silent comedy, Our Hospitality.

The Live Cinema event will be held at the Isaac Theatre Royal as part of our Christchurch line-up in August. The original orchestral score by Carl Davis will be conducted by Marc Taddei.

First released in 1923, Our Hospitality tells the story of Willie McKay (Buster Keaton), a young man who is inadvertently caught in a family feud as he makes his way from New York to the South to collect his inheritance.

“This will be an unforgettable experience. The CSO playing beneath the stage of the Isaac Theatre Royal as one of the most ageless silent comedies ever plays on the big screen. Our Hospitality is gripping – its famous waterfall scene is truly thrilling. Keaton was a fearless stuntman and this is considered one of his masterpieces. It’s even more amazing when you consider that the man performed all his own stunts exactly as you see them,” says NZIFF Director Bill Gosden, “The Press reviewer described last year’s live cinema event at the Isaac Theatre Royal as ‘sheer joy’. It is wonderful entertainment for all ages and Our Hospitality features some of the most sophisticated physical comedy the silent era produced.”

This Live Cinema event screens once only on Sunday 20 August at 2.00pm. Advance tickets for Our Hospitality will go on sale on Friday 30 June at 12.00pm from Ticketek.

The full NZIFF programme for Christchurch will be available online from Monday 10 July 7pm and on the streets from Tuesday 11 July. NZIFF screens for two and half weeks from 3 to 20 August, 2017.