Brighton Symphony of a City

Silent film and live orchestral score combining youth orchestras, a rock band and professional musicians to create a portrait of Brighton, England in music and moving images

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Brighton: Symphony of a City

Is a 2016 cinematic portrait of Brighton, England, directed by Lizzie Thynne with a score by Ed Hughes, commissioned for the Brighton Festival.

It's a dynamic, silent film using archive footage and contemporary shots to show the city's bohemian, festive, and campaigning spirit, contrasting past and present through juxtapositions of daily life, parades (like Pride, Gaza, Burning the Clocks), and iconic landmarks, set to a vibrant orchestral score. The film pays homage to classic city symphonies like Berlin: Symphony of a Great City, capturing Brighton's unique energy from dawn to night, highlighting both its beauty and social issues like homelessness. 

Key aspects

  • Creators: Director Lizzie Thynne and composer Ed Hughes (both University of Sussex academics).

  • Inspiration:Walter Ruttmann's Berlin: Symphony of a Great City (1927).

  • Content: Blends archival footage (Screen Archive South East) with modern scenes of Brighton life, including:

    • Daily activities (beach, skate park, shops)

    • Festivals (Pride, Burning the Clocks)

    • Protests (Gaza, Soviet Union anniversary)

    • Iconic spots (Ferris Wheel, Black Rock)

  • Music: A rich orchestral score by Ed Hughes, performed by the Orchestra of Sound and Light, emphasizing the city's contrasts and rhythms.

  • Themes: Explores Brighton's diverse character, from its fun-loving, eccentric side to the realities of homelessness, all through visual storytelling.

  • Premiere: May 11, 2016, at the Brighton Dome for the Festival's 50th anniversary.