An animated treasure to be screened, with music duo’s rollicking live score

The contemporary score will bring to life “The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” a film crafted by German artist Lotte Reiniger.

By Elizabeth Shepherd • June 1, 2022 1:30 am
(Courtesy Photo) A still from the 1922 animated film, “The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” shows the film’s almost mind-boggling artwork, told frame by frame in silhouettes cut by hand by the film’s director, Lotte Reiniger.
(Courtesy Photo) A still from the 1922 animated film, “The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” shows the film’s almost mind-boggling artwork, told frame by frame in silhouettes cut by hand by the film’s director, Lotte Reiniger.

A cinematic and live music event for all ages, “The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” screened with an original score by well-known Seattle duo, Miles and Karina, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The live, contemporary music, played on a dazzling array of instruments including viola, banjo, guitars, accordion, glockenspiel and even a mixing bowl — will bring to life the nearly 100-year-old classic film, which is the oldest extant animated feature film in existence.

“The Adventures of Prince Achmed,” a 66-minute film, was crafted by German artist Lotte Reiniger using exquisite silhouette cut-out animation, to tell some of the stories of “The Arabian Nights.”

In 2008, Northwest Film Forum commissioned Miles and Karina to create the score, which was first performed at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle. Since that time, the duo has traveled with the film and performed it for family audiences around the world.

The duo has also now created live scores for other classic films, including other short films by Lotte Reiniger, the Buster Keaton films “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” and “The Cameraman,” as well as two early silent films of Alfred Hitchcock.

Find out more and read audience testimonials at milesandkarina.com. Get tickets to “The Adventures of Prince Achmed at vashoncenterforthearts.org.