“The General” – Screening with Live Music

“The General,” directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman (USA, 1926), returns to the screen at the Astra cinema in Oborniki Śląskie in a digitally restored 4K version. The occasion is the 100th anniversary of the film's premiere. The screening is accompanied by live music performed by two instrumentalists from Wrocław.

The story begins in the American South just before the Civil War. Locomotive engineer Johnnie Gray, played by Keaton himself, is rejected by the army. His fiancée Annabelle (Marion Mack) declares she won't speak to him until he puts on a uniform. Soon Union troops steal his locomotive, “the General.” Johnnie gives chase and, along the way, rescues Annabelle from danger.

The film blends war, action, romance, and comedy. It was shot entirely on location, with hundreds of extras taking part. It also features stunts that, according to reports, no one has repeated since. Keaton, known as “the man with the stone face,” relies on facial expressions, gestures, body movement, and his gaze to play the engineer.

Live music will be performed by:

• Artur Mickiewicz – drummer and jazz musician. He has performed at the Jazz nad Odrą (Grand Prix), Nancy Jazz Pulsation, and Jazz Jamboree festivals. He has collaborated with Piotr Baron, Iza Zając, Jarosław Małys, Tomek Wilczyński, Janusz Brzozowski, Arkadiusz Podstawka, and Marek Bałata, among others.
• Darek Samerdak – pianist, songwriter, and music educator. He has performed with Tercet Egzotyczny, Marzena Sztuka, Ariel Ramirez Tango Quintet, and Asuka Band, among others.

Practical information: the film runs 79 minutes. The screening takes place on 13 November 2026 at 7:00 PM in the cinema hall of the Astra cinema.