Watch The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes

The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes is a surrealist gothic horror film that was released in 2004. The film, directed by the Brothers Quay, is set in an imaginary village in the late 19th century. The movie stars Amira Casar, Gottfried John, and Assumpta Serna in the lead roles. The plot of the film revolves around a piano tuner named Felisberto Fernandez, played by Cesar. He receives an invitation from a wealthy doctor named Malvius, played by John. Malvius invites Fernandez to the island of Ovare, where Malvius is in the process of creating a beautiful mechanical opera. Malvius claims that he needs Fernandez's help to tune the various instruments that are part of the opera.

Fernandez accepts the invitation and travels to Ovare. When he arrives on the island, he discovers that Malvius's mansion is situated on a cliff that is constantly shaken by earthquakes. He also meets Malvius's wife, played by Serna, who is confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak.

As Fernandez begins to work on tuning the various instruments, he begins to uncover the strange secrets that are hidden within the mansion. He discovers that Malvius is secretly in love with his wife's twin sister, who was lost at sea many years ago. Malvius has used his vast wealth to create a series of mechanical devices that are meant to bring his lost love back to life.

As Fernandez becomes more involved in the events taking place in the mansion, he begins to realize that there is something sinister at play. The various mechanical devices that Malvius has created seem to have a life of their own, and they appear to be working towards some unknown purpose.

The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes is a visually stunning film that makes effective use of stop-motion animation and puppetry. The Quay brothers have created a dreamlike atmosphere that is both beautiful and unsettling. The film's pacing is deliberate and measured, allowing the viewer to fully absorb the visual and auditory details of the movie's world.

The film's score, composed by Konstantin Gropper, is hauntingly beautiful and adds to the eerie ambiance of the film. The sound effects of the various mechanical devices are also expertly done, creating a sense of both wonder and dread.

One of the film's highlights is the performance of Amira Casar as Felisberto Fernandez. Casar's portrayal of the piano tuner is understated and nuanced, conveying a sense of both curiosity and apprehension as he delves deeper into the mysteries of the mansion.

Gottfried John is also excellent as the enigmatic Dr. Malvius. John's performance captures the character's obsessive nature, as well as his inner turmoil as he struggles to bring his lost love back to life.

Assumpta Serna's performance as Malvius's wheelchair-bound wife is also noteworthy. Despite being unable to speak for the majority of the film, Serna conveys a great deal of emotion through subtle facial expressions and body language.

Overall, The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes is a unique and captivating film that will appeal to fans of surrealism, gothic horror, and stop-motion animation. The film's attention to detail and haunting atmosphere make it a must-see for fans of the genre.