Did you know the oldest surviving animated film was directed by a woman and features the character Aladdin? The International Center presents a screening of the silent German silhouette animated film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) with live piano accompaniment by UVA Media Studies Film lecturer, Matt Marshall.
It tells the story of Achmed, a handsome prince who rides a flying horse to faraway lands, including China. He embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling shape-shifting monsters and falling in love with a princess. The film is based on Persian and Arabian folktales and directed by Lotte Reiniger, one of the earliest female directors. The Adventures of Prince Achmed took 3 years to complete.
