(Claire Denis, FR, 2001)

Sensuously shocking vampire flick from an unexpected hand. You might know Claire Denis (White Material) from her subdued, somewhat hermetic oeuvre. But after her critically acclaimed breakthrough Beau Travail, she made this poetic horror film, that was met with a lot of hostility. In hindsight, this is a film that despite it’s gore, deserves all the accolades that her more audience friendly productions got. Maybe we could say that this is Denis at her most punkrock. Casting cult actor/director Vincent Gallo certainly points in that direction. It’s an intense and bloody film, that will keep away, her usual Rialto-frequenting, Isabelle Hupert-worshipping audience. The soundtrack is by Tindersticks.

(English, no subtitles)