Shadow of the Vampire (Merhige, 2000): Prince Charles Cinema, 8.45pm
This 35mm presentation programmed by Animus magazine also includes a director Q&A.
Prince Charles introduction:
Perhaps best known for his groundbreaking experimental horror film Begotten (1990), American director E. Elias Merhige continued his exploration of creation, myth, and the creation of myths in this star-studded imagining of the making of Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922), the terrifying and extremely influential German Expressionist horror film by German director F. W. Murnau. Both a deadly serious film about the dedication required to make art, and a tongue-in-check critique of the hubris of filmmakers, this speculative reenactment of one of cinema’s most fascinating foundation myths is as entertaining as it is morbid. John Malkovich is by turns ridiculous and terrifying as a director willing to do anything for his film, and Willem Dafoe both sinister and endearingly childlike as the man/creature at the centre of his picture. Around them, eclectic talents including Udo Kier, Cary Elwes and Eddie Izzard make up the rest of the cast and crew having to deal with what turns out to be very unusual circumstances, even for a film set. Shadow of the Vampire was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Makeup for the incredible prosthetics worn by Dafoe, who was himself nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his delicious performance as the mysterious Max Schreck.
Here (and above) is the trailer.
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