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.
We will be selling a limited number of the All The Haunts Be Ours – Volume Two from Severin Films at every folk horror screening in November! All The Haunts Be Ours – Volume Two brings together 24 films representing 18 countries for more of the best-loved, rarely seen, thought-lost and brand-new classics of folk horror, most making their International and/or North American disc debuts; 55+ combined hours of new and archival Special Features including trailers, interviews, audio commentaries, short films, video essays, historical analyses and bonus feature-length films; a 252-page hardcover of newly commissioned folk horror fiction by luminaries that include Chandra Mayor, Ramsey Campbell, Cassandra Khaw and Eden Royce with illustrations by Drazen Kozjan; and much more, all curated and produced by Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched creator Kier-La Janisse. Boxed set design by Luke Insect.
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.
