FILM REVIEWS ON ADAPTATIONS OF SHERIDAN LE FANU`S NOVEL

‘Carmilla’ is a gothic mystical novel about lesbian vampire created by Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu. Violent, painful, and sad – three words that can clearly describe this composition. But, despite this, it is still so splendid…

It is a story that has been adapted many times in films or other formats. The most prominent pieces of adaptations you can see in this review.

British romantic horror film ‘Carmilla’ directed by Emily Harris (2019)

This film – a real masterpiece. Firstly, it is the high quality that may catch your eye and fascinate you from scratch. Secondly, the action is stylishly slow, so every detail of love story can be enjoyed.

The main character is fifteen-year-old Lara, isolated from society with her dad and strict governess, Miss Fontaine, in their castle among virgin forests. She lives her lonely and low-set life until one accident changes everything – a carriage crash causes her acquaintance with the young woman named Carmilla. Lara is enchanted by angel-like look of Carmilla, she falls in love with her charm, and the new relationship blossoms between girls. Weird, with bloody kisses, passionate, but tender and innocent, this love scares Miss Fontaine – the action takes place in 19th century, and the religious governess starts to think that Carmilla is the vampire…

Canadian ‘Carmilla’ co-created by Jordan Hall, Steph Ouaknine, and Jay Bennett (2014)

Unlike the previous one, this adaptation shows us a nowadays picture: the action is taken place in one of the college campuses, where student of journalism Laura Hollis is going to live.

The young girl decides to document all her college life and post these videos on her vlog. Everything is good until Lauras roommate Betty hasn’t gotten lost. But nobody cares about her disappearance – only few days after that a new Lauras roommate Carmilla appears. It feels like only Laura remembers about Bettys existence, so young journalist starts her investigation. What mysteries are hidden by her colleges walls? And who is that Carmilla?

French-Italian erotic horror film ‘Blood and Roses’ directed by Roger Vadim (1960)

The film director not only has given an alternative view on the original story, but also has switched the viewpoint from the Laura character to Carmilla herself.

The main action is set in the 20^th century Italy, at European mansion, where the woman Carmilla has been possessed by the spirit of her 18^th century vampirical predecessor Mircalla. Carmilla is both in love with her friend Georgia and her cousin Leopoldo, but those two are already engaged, so young girl feels emotionally excited and even depressed.

While being demoniac, with the vampire spirit inside of her, Carmilla pursues the man they both love – Leopoldo, and then seduces Georgia, tastes her blood and kills her. It is full of the dark melancholy lesbian scenes that show the true nature of vampire beings` existence – wild obsession, impassioned seduction, violent murder of the one they loved.

To conclude, if you do love mystical stories with a pinch of lesbian love, a bunch of gothic atmospheres and a fit of forlorn frustration, such Carmilla in all her hypostases is, no doubt, for you.