Again, another film title I read about long ago in the school library copy of Danny Peary’s Cult Movies 2, its lurid photos already sordidly graffitied by school boys. Daughters Of Darkness (1971) is an English language Belgian erotic horror film, another cult title that lines up with the works of Jean Rollin and Jesus Franco in terms of stylish, sexy, European vampire movies. Directed by Harry Kumel, there were so many moments in this film where internally I was shouting “Yes!” due to its aesthetics, the use of lighting, the costuming, the framing of the shot, the performances, etc. I loved its ornate, knowing, and curious mood. A young couple, freshly married, make love on a train – yet there’s tension, Stefan (John Karlen) is reluctant to inform his family about his new bride to Valerie’s (Danielle Ouimet) disappointment. Reaching a seaside hotel in Belgium and seemingly the only occupants, the strange tension that exists between them is interrupted by Countess Bathory (Delphine Seyrig) and her companion Ilona (Andrea Rau). It’s clear that the Countess’ seductiveness and rumoured agelessness seems tied to the reported string of murders of young women drained of blood. Yet the film luxuriates in the mystery and tension, as well as the strange sadomasochistic tendencies already in the young couple’s relationship. Eventually the quartet begin to intersect sexually and violently through the strategy of the Countess. There’s so much to enjoy visually, complimented by Francois de Roubaix’s score, and Seyrig is so great as the Countess, glamorous and forward, just a classy, dominating presence. You know where it’s all going, but it’s more about the way everything is constructed, allowing one to float on palpable style. I was really into it. Available on Amazon Prime and the Criterion Channel. Recommended.
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