Dir. Juraj Herz
1978, Czechoslovakia, 91 min
Czech with English subtitles
Rated 18A
For this richly perverse retelling of the original fairy tale, Slovakian director Juraj Herz puts his own inimitable Gothic stamp on Beauty and the Beast, combining bold, visceral horror and understated eroticism with more traditional elements. When Julie (Zdena Studenková) tries to save her misguided father’s life by sacrificing herself at a monstrous being’s isolated lair, an unlikely romantic relationship develops. Most evident in this adaptation is the director’s trademark stamp of summoning true horror in almost every genre he worked in, with the Beast (Vlastimil Harapes) envisioned as a disturbing birdman with a bloodlust to match his horrific looks. Despite the fact she is forbidden to look at him, Julie cannot resist the Beast’s brooding, Byronic qualities; nor he, her enduring bright spirit, her bravery, her true beauty. What ensues is a tale of forbidden love and dark desire, packed with magical realism and Gothic splendor. (Kat Ellinger)
1080 Master by Národní filmový archiv Prague. Courtesy of Severin Films.
Please join us on November 2 for a short story reading by poet and novelist Chandra Mayor. Generously supported by the Margaret Laurence Endowment and the University of Winnipeg Women’s and Gender Studies Department.
Unquiet spirits have gathered once again! Inspired by Severin Films’ latest compendium of folk horror, the Dave Barber Cinematheque presents All The Haunts Be Ours: Folk Horror Classics from October 11 until November 24. Featuring rarely seen and brand-new classics of folk horror, this series of films explores the strange and magical world of spirits, revenge and forbidden desires.
