Destiny + Jozef van Wissem

Destiny + Jozef van Wissem: ticket price: until 11. 1. 300 CZK, from 12. 1. 400 CZK

In the digitally restored expressionist gem Destiny (Der müde Tod, 1921), Fritz Lang tells a poetic parable of a young woman who refuses to come to terms with the loss of her beloved and embarks on a symbolic journey through three stories of love stronger than death. The film, also understood as a reflection of postwar trauma, captivates with its original visual language and atmosphere, enhanced by period tinting techniques that have been carefully restored as part of an extensive digital restoration.

The screening of this masterwork will be accompanied live on the lute by Dutch musician Jozef van Wissem, whose hypnotic playing amplifies the dreamlike and timeless power of Lang’s film. Wissem is best known to audiences for his collaboration with American independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch. For his music to Jarmusch’s film Only Lovers Left Alive, Wissem received the top prize for Best Soundtrack at the Cannes Film Festival.

Destiny is structured into chapters, each with its own atmosphere and visual world, beginning with the poetic “Tale of the First Light.” The narrative moves across different parts of the world, allowing the musical accompaniment to “travel” alongside the film on an independent path. In his interpretation, Jozef van Wissem draws on the regional folk music of the places depicted in the individual segments, while simultaneously updating it with modern musical ideas. In doing so, he underscores the film’s central theme: love is stronger than death.

Masterclass: Jozef van Wissem

On Friday, January 23, 2026 at 7:00 PM, the Prague Film Institute will host a masterclass by Jozef van Wissem, the author of the captivating soundtrack to Jim Jarmusch’s film Only Lovers Left Alive. A very limited number of tickets are on sale. The event will be held in English without translation. More information and tickets here.