Silents Synced: A Woman of the World with Pearl Jam

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, A WOMAN OF THE WORLD (1925) follows a liberal European countess, played by Pola Negri, who scandalizes a small, mid-Western American town with her unapologetic independence, sharp wit, and tattooed arm. This classic, silent film has been paired with Pearl Jam – one of the most influential rock and roll bands, which continues to sell out stadiums to audiences of 50,000+ and engages with a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase. Silents Synced creator, Josh Frank, chose to pair the film with the music from Pearl Jam’s seminal albums Vs. and Vitalogy, saying, “The moment I rewatched this film, I remembered the lyrics of ‘Animal’ – ‘I’d rather be with an animal’ – it just fit.”
Their raw energy and urgent, emotional soundscape mirror the countess’s defiance and vulnerability, bringing a gritty new layer to this 100-year-old film.
Pearl Jam’s nonprofit foundation, Vitalogy, will donate earnings from this project to Austin Women’s Health, a local provider supporting reproductive care in Silents Synced creator’s hometown. Their response reinforces their reputation as authentic philanthropists and strengthens the project’s core themes of activism, female empowerment, and creative courage.