Vampires

The greatest cult movie that my country ever brought forward is inarguably "Man Bites Dog", about a group of journalists following around a serial killer who openly talks about his occupation and proudly illustrates his modus operandi in front of the camera. Now, nearly twenty years later, Belgium has another false/pseudo documentary ready with "Vampires", although I doubt this one will become as big and successful. Too bad actually, because "Vampires" is a fresh, inventive and pleasantly deranged movie with an intelligent script and devoted acting performances by the ensemble cast. The members of a TV crew get the assignment of following around a family of vampires and shoot a documentary about their life, habits and characteristics. The crew receives a warm welcome from patriarch Georges, his wife Bertha and their two children Samson and Grace. The family lives in the French- speaking part of Belgium, where life is beautiful and easy-going thanks to the country's protective and all-covering social system. They feed on illegal immigrants and former prostitutes referred to as "Meat" and attend gatherings with other vampires in the same district. The vampires have their share of problems as well, like recurring arguments with the couple living in the basement (vampires without children haven't got the right to purchase a house), the teenage daughter Grace wishes to be human and commits suicide all the time even though she's immortal and the partying son Samson has been caught having sex with the wife of the district vampire leader. Because of this tremendous offense Georges and his family are exiled to Canada, where a vampire's life is a lot less cheerful. The film's biggest trump is the clever and witty screenplay, co-written director Vincent Lannoo, that is chock-full of funny little gags, subtle society criticism and honorable references towards film and literature classics. There's not a dull moment in the script and the pacing is fast and rhythmic enough to keep you entertained throughout. This isn't really a horror movie, but still there are a handful of bloody massacres and nasty rituals illustrated on screen, basically to emphasize that the main characters are and remain, in fact, monsters. The performances are terrific. Like with "Man Bites Dog", I presume Belgians feel very comfortable with talking straight into the camera and act completely natural about the most eccentric and dubious subject matter. "Vampires" is a creative and replenishing comedy that makes me proud to be Belgian – especially since we only make the international news because of our political crisis and mass murderers – and I hope Vincent Lannoo & C° will be able to expand the success beyond Belgian boundaries as well.

Finally I picked this flick up after seeing it a few times in the shops. Somewhere I had my doubts about it. I have seen and enjoyed "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" (1992) and never thought we would have another faut documentary coming out of Belgium. But 20 years later it finally did.

Starting off rather brutal with a few killings I thought, hell, this is going to be good but for me it failed on the bloody part. The only gore involved is when they are watching a flick called 'Midnight Movie'. I reviewed it 2 years ago. The thing that didn't work for me was that they were talking a lot and it went on and on. Some did see some humour in that part but I never laughed it out loud.

I can't say anything negative about the acting because that was believable but for a flick about vampires there isn't that much of biting and sucking. Maybe the pink coffin was a bit funny but overall it was a typical flick made by French talking people. Blah blah blah.

I guess Vincent, the director, did watch True Blood about how vampires rule the earth and about their laws and bosses. Even as True Blood is becoming ridiculous with the Elves involved Vampires couldn't tip on True Blood.

Nice effort and maybe the French talking people will have a laughter but for me personally no smile on my face. Once you have seen it I guess you will never watch it again.

Gore 1/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0,5/5

I find myself, sometimes, strongly disagreeing with other viewer's opinions about a movie or another. I guess this is the case here too, since I was amazed with the subtle irony of the screenplay and the great acting in Vampires. It fulfills the promises HBO's True Blood made in the beginning (and after that fell into ridiculous). A 10/10 start and then some pretty shallow following seasons – nothing to make me watch it anymore, except for one episode here and there, in the nights when I really don't have anything better to do.

This movie, by comparison, brings something fresh and interesting (and holds it throughout, to the end) in the whole vampire films industry, with its dull mass production and only few products that really shine and stand out. I'm not sure - perhaps it's a bit hard to 'get it, because in order to thoroughly enjoy it, one must be familiar with the myths and taboos AND the reality regarding the two main locations in the movie – Belgium and Canada. The second requirement would be to watch it not expecting some wild action or romance fantasy movie, but a very reality-based review of the social and personal issues of the regular guy/family.

If I were to describe it by comparing to other movies that made an impression on me in the same way, this vampire movie is kind of what Last Night (1998, Canada) means for the 'end of days' genre, 2046 (2004, Hong Kong) for the 'hard to find your soul mate' genre, The Mirror (1975, Soviet Union) for 'my life as I remember it' genre, The Fountain (2006, USA) for 'how we cope with the loss' genre and so on. OK, I think I may have made up those genres, but you get the idea... I'm talking about an unexpected point of view, intelligent, deep, making a point with great sense of humour (in Vampires) – all things that set it apart from the crowd.

This was not your typical played out blood sucker flick.This is so refreshing after a slew of films that rely on special effects or soft core to sell tickets,i caught this gem on Netflix instant .This explained the evolution of vampires from the impaler to modern day.In this tongue in cheek hilarious mock documentary take on things rarely addressed in this genre.A series of well thought out interviews explore the family dynamics of teen angst,sibling rivalry,etiquette,dating,police,education,immigration ,infedelity,first love," death day" celebrations,homelessness,and integration into human society as well as the job force and political Snafu's.As well as the hideousness of the color pink.

Belgium has a long tradition of faut documentary, film noir and sarcasm and this movie does not disappoint. If you are looking for a bloody and gory Hollywood movie stay far away from it, if you're looking for great dialogues in French, Flemish and German (I must admit the movie is better if you can understand those three languages Nd get the clever jokes and sarcastic comments), excellent cinematography, a good storyline and no special effects than this is it. Movies just like movies should be made. Focusing on the acting and not on the special effects. If you like Hollywood horror ignore it, if you are a fan of Christopher Lee and Boris Karloff you'll love it.