Filling the Gaps of 'Nosferatu' with Eastern and Western String Instruments

Korean Film Archive 'Nosferatu-Hyeonhyeon's Shadow' Convergence Performance
Geomungo Player Hwang Jin-a and Guitarist Lee Si-mun Handle Soundtrack

Directed by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, 'Nosferatu (1922)' is the first full-length vampire film in history. The original work is Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula.' Hutter (Gustav von Wagenheim), a real estate agent, goes to Count Orlok's (Max Schreck) castle to meet him about buying a house in Wisborg. The contract proceeds smoothly, but Hutter becomes terrified upon discovering that the count is a vampire. A few days later, an epidemic breaks out in Wisborg, and Hutter's wife Ellen (Greta Schroeder) falls seriously ill from an unknown cause. Ellen finds the only way to save the people and decides to sacrifice herself.

Director Murnau creates a terrifying atmosphere with an aesthetic that differentiates from the Expressionism dominating Germany at the time. He minimizes artificial devices such as bizarre sets and lens distortion, actively utilizing natural landscapes. In the scene where Nosferatu approaches the terrified Hutter, a new visual effect is created by cross-editing Ellen’s sleepwalking and the count’s slow steps. Although common today, this was a groundbreaking attempt at the time. The effect showing the count’s movement approaching the self-sacrificing Ellen as if covered by shadows is also remembered as a masterpiece scene.

'Nosferatu' is a silent film. The actors’ dialogues and on-site sounds were not recorded. The era of sound films arrived five years later in 1927 with 'The Jazz Singer.' The Korean Film Archive commemorates the 100th anniversary of 'Nosferatu' by filling the gaps with live music. On the 6th and 7th of next month, the fusion performance 'Nosferatu ? Shadow of the String' will be staged. The soundtrack is performed by geomungo player Hwang Jin-ah and guitarist Lee Si-moon. They focused on reinterpreting 'Nosferatu' and intensifying the audience’s tension. The archive explained, "The two string instruments from East and West will harmonize with the intense visual effects contrasting the light and shadow of 'Nosferatu,' amplifying both beauty and eerie horror."

Hwang Jin-ah debuted as a soloist in 2017 and is an actively performing musician. Her second full-length album 'Short Film,' released last January, is regarded as reaching a mature level. Lee Si-moon is a guitarist and producer who performs and composes with various teams such as Chuda Hye Chajis and Kim Oki Fucking Madness. Recently, he released the EP 'Scent,' proving his capabilities as a singer-songwriter as well.