THE VOURDALAK (Adrien Beau 2023)

http://www.chrisknipp.com/images/%20vdk.jpg
KACEY MOTTET KLAIN IN THE VOURDALAK

ADRIEN BEAU: THE VOURDALAK (2023)

An 18th-century French vampire movie

Whether horror film fans are interested in this film or not, its blend of horror, comedy and satire comes in an unusual, attractive package, frilly Gothic, if you like. Set in the eighteenth century, with dialogue in stately French, it unreels with aplomb, boasting a cast that includes the great Kacey Mottet Klein, Grégoire Colin, Ariane Labed and Vassili, youngest of the five Schneider brothers described as "la nouvelle frairie préférée du cinéma français." The author is a prominent 19th-century Russian dramatist, Aleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy (not Leo, though).

Kacey Mottet Klain, of Ursula Meier's Sister (2012) and Home (2008) and André Téchiné's Being 17 (2016), is one of the most interesting actors of his francophone generation. He plays the opening character, the Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé. D'Urfé is a wispy powdered courtesan, traveling as representative of the French king. Entering a wood on foot after being robbed of his accoutrements and horse, he is met by Piotr (Vassili Schneider), a young man who advises him that a certain Gorcha will assist and provide him with a horse.

But it proves not so simple. The father of them all is away and when he returns, appears to be a living cadaver. Next morning he disappears, and some members of the family think he is a Vourdalak, who feeds on the blood of his near and dear ones, and many others besides and they undertake magical ceeremonies to ward him off. The manly Jegor (Grégoire Colin) scoffs at these wives' tales. The Marquis is caught in between. Gore was never so lovely.

Props especially to Martin le Nouvel and Maia Xifaras who composed and performed the beautiful score.

THe Vourdalak, 91 mins., debuted at Venice Sept. 2, 2023. Distributed by Oscilloscope, the US release begins Fri., Jun. 28 2024 (NYC at the IFC Center).