2014 | 15+ | 101 Mins | Dir: Ana Lily Amirpour
In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.
A brilliant example of how to borrow elements from other films/genres and create something completely original in the process. A black and white, Iranian vampire western that plays with its stylistic choices in a way that feels completely fresh, modern and unique.
When watching some black and white films I find myself wondering what colours should be on show and fundamentally finding the lack of colour to be a distraction from what I should be seeing. Here however I found that the use of bold shadows, a chilling audio soundscape and a varied yet always melancholic soundtrack all suited the fictional world that Ana Lily Amirpour was attempting to build. The film needs to be black and white for it to marry these elements effectively and to make ‘Bad City’ as intriguing as it is.
The whole thing is incredibly atmospheric in style and whilst the story is not as rich and layered as it’s aesthetic, it uses its creative choices effectively across each scene in a way that showcases a personality individual from any other horror i’ve seen.
STARRING: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marno
BEST QUOTE: "Till the end of your life... i’ll be watching you. Understand?”
FUN FACT: Despite it’s middle-eastern setting the short 24 day shoot took place in California.
IF YOU LIKED: The Bad Batch, It Follows
Joe Gist
Creative Director
Blink Vivid
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