Silent Film, Loud Music: Faust

Dir. by F.W. Murnau
Germany, 1926
105 min.
Silent film with English intertitles

This August, join us on the lawn outside of Comfort Station for classic German silent films paired with live musical accompaniment by Chicago musicians! Logan Square microcinema Comfort Film presents this year's installment of 'Silent Film, Loud Music' in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Chicago. All screenings begin at sunset.

In this classic of silent cinema, the demon Mephisto (Emil Jannings) makes a bet with an archangel that a good man's soul can be corrupted. Mephisto sets his sights on the thoughtful old alchemist Faust (Gösta Ekman), who is desperately trying to save his village from a plague. He is able to help the villagers, thanks to Mephisto, but further dealings with the devil lead Faust on a decadent downward spiral. Can he redeem his soul before it's too late?


ABOUT THE ARTIST

French Inhaler is a Chicago-based trio composed of singer and keyboardist Ashvin Prakash, bassist Adam O’Leary, and drummer Zane Chao. Drawing on the restrained intensity of Joy Division, the melodic melancholy of The Cure, and the electronic minimalism of Kraftwerk, the group blends synthesizers with live bass and drums to create a sound rooted in early 1980s new wave and post-punk traditions. Their music favors atmosphere and precision over excess, balancing cool electronic textures with the physicality of a live rhythm section. The result is a thoughtful, disciplined approach to revivalism — one that nods respectfully to its influences while maintaining a clear contemporary voice.