A Nocturne

I watched this great, unconventional vampire movie at the 26th Brussels International Film Festival (27 March - 8 April 2008). After having seen numerous typical vampire flicks with all the clichés involved, it was truly refreshing to see one with a different approach - a philosophical approach no less, with references to the work of Nietzsche.

Sure, the protagonists X and Z still need to drink blood to survive, but in contrast to most vampires in cinematic history, they have something very human about them. Thus, you easily develop a connection with them. These two souls look more like "different" kind of human beings than like the cold, insensitive creatures that vampires practically always are.

X and Z are outsiders who live on the edge, struggling with both their condition and the society they're condemned to being part of. They are portrayed with appropriate modesty by genuine revelation Vanessa de Largie and first-time (!) actor Alex Spears.

Although there are scenes in which blood is being shed, the emphasis hasn't been laid on gore, action or cheap thrills. No, it dwells far more on exploring the difficult times the two main characters go through and creating an intense, moody atmosphere.

I'm not surprised this movie won three awards at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival, for A Nocturne is truly an impressive piece of craftsmanship. If you are at a festival where it is screened, catch it! This is one not to be missed.

I caught A Nocturne at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF) at the end of 2007. While it didn't have the most profound effect on me at first( I am a fan of more light hearted and visceral horror films),I found I kept thinking about the film long after the screening(and thinking about the hot body of lead actress Vanessa de Largie).It is certainly not a "sit back and cop the action" style film, and thats why I think it works.

There are plenty of vampire films going around these days, most relying on special effects and suspense. What sets A Nocturne apart I feel is the barren nature of all aspects of the film. The sets, the dialogue, the very "feel" of the picture is sparse and nihilistic. The two lead actors, Vanessa de Largie and Alex Spears, have the least amount of lines in the film. This meant they had to emote and project their characters essences through look, posture and demeanour almost exclusively.Luckily they both gave fantastic performances.

I really liked the pervading sense of futility throughout the film.I assume that was the main point, outsiders trapped in a world they didn't see much sense in.Its great to see a movie that seems to be more an expression of a point on the state of society rather than a titillating thrill played out through action and romance.

I was unfortunate enough to watch this movie,at the Athens International film festival,at an after hours screening,with the director present. Normally this would be an awesome night,but not today.

The movie was so slow-paced that bored you to death and the dialogue was so out there,that even after reading the subtitles I couldn't understand what the characters were trying to say. The story was incoherent to say the least,and secondary characters seem to only pop in to say or do what they have to,without really any explanation why they do it.

In terms of production,the movie seems like something you would shoot with your typical mini-DV camera,without any help from a professional.

Overall I have to say that for a 70 minute movie,it had me staring at my watch hoping it would end soon enough. Others were not that patient though.In the first 10 minutes of the movie,at least a dozen people had left. Sure,the program for the festival,described it as a "philosophical vampire movie" but I can't really blame them,since the director himself said before the screening that that is how he wants his film to be described.I guess it's a matter of opinions.He says 'philosophical vampire movie" I say BS.

This intellectual "wannabe" was the worst waste of film ever. I could not believe the garbage proffered to the viewer, especially in comparison with the interesting critique on the cover.

A pretentious,amateurish,boring, cliché-filled waste of time - unfortunately this crud should be removed from shelves as unfit for viewing.

The film was completely unable to put any point of view across, the selected premise of being "intellectual" by relying on quotes from Nietzsche was just plain laughable. Long "enigmatic" silences conveyed nothing and the viewer will struggle to find any relevance to anything remotely philosophical.

Even the "vampire" scenes were inept and cringeworthy.