Daughters Of Darkness (1971)
Dir. Harry Kümel, English, Belgium
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Sun 3 March 2013 // 19:30
/ Cinema
“One of the most exquisitely mesmerizing adult horror films ever made”, this is an erotic vampire film about a honeymoon that goes badly wrong.
FACEBOOK EVENT HERE: http://www.facebook.com/events/530072277032907
THE PLOT
Newlyweds are delayed on their way home to England. They are forced to stay at a European resort during its off season. Shortly after their arrival they meet one of the few guests staying at the resort, a mysterious ageless countess named Elizabeth Bathory, and her servant Ilona.
The newlyweds quickly fall prey to the countesses’ web of seduction which puts a strain on their marriage when they let jealousy get the better of them.…expect lesbian vampires and quite a lot of blood.
This film based on Sheridan le Fanu's gothic novel "Camilla", the classic tale of a lesbian vampire.
REVIEWS
"DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS remains one of the most exquisitely mesmerizing adult horror films ever made." - DVD BEAVER
"A Stylish Adult Vampire Movie!" - Roger Ebert, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"Far And Away The Most Artistic Vampire Shocker In 10 Years!" -THE NEW YORK TIMES
"EROTIC AND UNUSUAL…One Of The Finest Vampire Films Ever Produced!" - ALL MOVIE
"The Most Entertaining Eurotrash Lesbian Vampire Movie Ever Made!" - DVD VERDICT
"Harry Kumel Is One Of The Great Unsung Directors Of The Genre!" - THE SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND HORROR FILM REVIEW
"Harry Kumel's stylish Belgian vampire film with a cult reputation (1971) is worth seeing for several reasons, not least of which is Delphine Seyrig's elegant lead performance as a lesbian vampire who operates a luxury hotel. The baroque mise en scene is also loads of fun; with Daniele Ouimet and Andrea Rau." - Jonathan Rosenbaum, CHICAGO READER
"Stylish and cooly elegant vampire movie" -actor and writer MARK GATISS
COLOURS - REDS
"Where the film announces itself most loudly, then, is in its visuals: vibrant red veils laid over lampshades; sharp blacks and whites; and the comparatively desaturated grays and blues of early morning on the ocean. Though striking, the imagery tends to work alongside the goings on rather than dominate them, and the seamless transitions between the many colors in cinematographer Eduard van der Enden’s palette make for a frequently visually arresting experience." - NOTCOMING REVIEWS
INSPIRED BY THE REAL FEMALE SERIAL KILLER: COUNTESS ELIZABETH BÁTHORY
The main character in the film, Countess Bathory, is based on a real person. Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed (1560 –1614) was a countess from the renowned Báthory family of nobility in the Kingdom of Hungary, and she has been labeled the most prolific female serial killer in history. She is remembered as the "Blood Countess."
Her case inspired numerous stories in the 18th and 19th centuries, the most common motif of which was that of the countess bathing in her victims' blood to retain beauty or youth.
More recently, she has inspired a number of metal bands to write songs or albums about her story.
WITH THE VERY GREAT ACTRESS DELPHINE SEYRIG
…However, in 2007, director Harry Kümel revealed in an Interview that initially, Delphine Seyrig, already being a well-renowned icon of sophisticated European cinema, wasn't too eager to take the part of the Countess Bathory when he sent her the script.
Seyrig's Boyfriend, famous French Director Alain Resnais, was a big fan of graphic novels and when he imagined Kümel's material and idea of the film to be something of a graphic novel, he enthusiastically convinced Seyrig to take the offer.
Kümel also said that, at that time, he and his co-writers thought Seyrig's consent was "too good to be true".
TICKETS
On the door: £5 / £3.50 (conc)
ADVANCE TICKETS ONLINE: £4.50 / £3 (concessions) here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/209330