Writer-director Adrien Beau has brought to the big screen a visually striking adaptation of Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy’s 1839 novella, The Family of the Vourdalak, The Vampire. The film, titled The Vourdalak, is a unique and thought-provoking take on vampire lore, set in mid-19th-century France. Shot on Super 16mm, The Vourdalak has a distinct look that sets it apart from other films in the genre.
The story follows Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d’Urfe, played by Kacey Mottet Klein, as he finds himself in the Eastern European wilds after losing his possessions and horse. He seeks refuge with a strange family, whose patriarch has been transformed into a vampire known as a Vourdalak. As the family begins to unravel, the marquis must confront his own assumptions about science, reason, and rationality.
The film takes a more unconventional approach to the traditional vampire narrative, offering a fresh and provocative conclusion that challenges societal norms of the time. The Vourdalak premiered at the Chattanooga Film Festival in 2024 and is now opening in theaters across North America through Oscilloscope Releasing.
Beau’s adaptation pays homage to the original novella while adding a unique and contemporary twist to the vampire genre. The Vourdalak is a must-see for fans of Gothic horror and those looking for a fresh take on classic literary themes.
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Photo credit screenanarchy.com