Synesthesia is pleased to present "The Cloud of Unknowing", the first feature film by Richard Sylvarnes. The film debuted in competition at the inaugural Tribeca Film Festival in 2002, played festivals throughout Asia and Europe and was released by Possible Films. On this special night we will be joined by the director and lead actress Miho Nikaido.

The following is an excerpt from a review by Maitland McDonagh:
“Richard Sylvarnes' first feature is a delicate watercolor dream of a ghost story, as insubstantial and tremulously haunting as an unquiet spirit. Set in New York City and shot on digital video, the film's smudged, ethereal look is by turns limpidly beautiful and gently eerie. The film, which was produced by Hal Hartley, takes its title from an obscure, 14th-century Christian treatise that urges spiritual searchers to value personal experience of God — or ghosts — over doctrinal dictates, and stresses the power of love to calm the soul and enrich all life's experiences. The film is rich with evocative images and while never frightening, it creates a pervasive atmosphere of unease that lingers like the faint scent of unfamiliar perfume.”
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About the artists:

Famed Japanese actress and dancer Miho Nikaido is best known for her work in the films "Tokyo Decadence", "Chain". "Kimono", "Flirt", and being a member of Kazuo Ohno's dance company.

Richard Sylvarnes is a multi-disciplinary artist who has shown his work internationally. He was the recipient of a Creative Capital grant and nominated for a Rockefeller Renew Media Fellowship. His Berlin based experimental band KaiSaR just released their double live CD entitled "KaiSaR Live 0418 Berlin" on the Skrymir label.