Carmilla
- Director: Emily Harris
- Writer: Emily Harris
- Producer: Emily Precious; Lizzie Brown
CGiii Comment
Over the years, Sheridan Le Fanu's novella has been done to death...with varying degrees of success and failure.
Emily Harris decided - for some unknown reason - that she would have a bash at telling this familiar tale...well, she certainly gave it a bash and a bashing...hey, everyone has the right to free interpretation!
The problem with this Carmilla is...it's too safe. It's not Gothic enough, not - by a long shot - lesbian enough...and, no-where-near vampiric enough...even the nasty governess is not nasty enough...but, that's probably the fault of the casting director! Enough with the enoughs!
More biting, more blood, more sweaty, seething Sapphism...more horror! Less of the insects...why all the shots of creepy-crawlies? Yes, the film should have been creepy...a few bug shots do not constitute creepiness!
'Less is more' is a mantra that many filmmakers - wisely - follow...unfortunately, in this unusual case...a wee bit 'more' would have paid dividends...the atmosphere and cinematography were major stakeholders...sadly, the 'stake' missed the heart!
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Moody and atmospheric, Carmilla is a coming-of-age love story enveloped in mystery. Inspired by Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic Gothic vampire novella, this is a beautifully mounted film from Emily Harris. Sheltered 15-year-old Lara (Hannah Rae) lives with her father and strict governess Miss Fontaine (Jessica Raine), but when a carriage crash brings enigmatic young Carmilla (Devrim Lingnau) to recuperate at their house, she provides an outlet for Lara’s curiosity and burgeoning sexuality. The pair begin a passionate friendship, but rumours of a supernatural presence drive Miss Fontaine’s mistrust of Carmilla.
Cast & Characters
Tobias Menzies as Doctor;
Jessica Raine as Miss Fontaine;
Greg Wise as Mr. Bauer;
Hannah Rae as Lara;
Daniel Tuite as Paul the Stableman;
Devrim Lingnau as Carmilla;
Lorna Gayle as Margaret