Directed by: E. Elias Merhige (Suspect Zero)
Starring: John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes, Catherine McCormack, Eddie Izzard
Timed to follow the Thursday Horror Picture Show screening of Nosferatu (1922), the Asheville Film Society is showing E. Elias Merhige’s Shadow of the Vampire (2001), a film that offers a very fantasticated story about Murnau (John Malkovich) making Nosferatu. The film has long held a special place for me because it was the first new release I reviewed for the Xpress to earn a full five stars—a rating I see no reason to change. The film is an imagining—that ultimately abandons any sense of reality—of Murnau making the film so chilling by casting a real vampire (Willem Dafoe) in the lead. Surprisingly funny and occasionally even a little moving, the film brilliantly blends fact, fantasy and even a sense of the actual Nosferatu within the confines of its stylish shaggy vampire story.
The Asheville Film Society will screen Shadow of the Vampire Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. in the Cinema Lounge of The Carolina Asheville. Hosted by Xpress movie critics Ken Hanke and Justin Souther. Hanke is the artistic director of the Asheville Film Society.
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It’s especially worth seeing for the “bat” scene. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it. |
DrSerizawa Nov 10, 2010 |
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I’m just hoping we don’t have a lot of horror movie resistant regulars avoid the film because of its horror movie elements. It’s much more than a horror show. |
Nov 10, 2010 |
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It’s much more than a horror show. Oh yes. IMO it’s far more about obessions. Horror is just the vehicle. I was as enthralled with Dafoe’s Schreck as I was with Landau’s Lugosi. Great performances from actors whom I never expected such quality from. And Malkovich is at his best before he became so annoying. It’s definitely a movie for those who don’t usually watch horror. |
DrSerizawa Nov 10, 2010 |
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Me only cruel immortality consumes, This film’s eerie soundtrack, the opening close up of strange images, and most of all, z German accents with brief words auf Deutsch come together into something as unique and fresh in this media as one could possibly find. And, Fritz is a hoot! All I need is to sleep in darkness. |
kjh.childers Nov 13, 2010 |
