The Sanguinarian is seductive. It's allegorical. It is summarized as "a metaphorical and sensual drama of pseudo-Shakespearean language, where a suicidal vampire spirals out of control in an unconventional and surreal world." It is a vampire movie.
Vampires may be an overly familiar commodity right now, but director Analisa Ravella tackled the genre with an authentic "anti-Twilight" approach, spinning a real story in the style of a graphic novel. Ravella co-wrote the screenplay with Charles Beal, who also plays the lead character, Cristoph. Beal did not originally intend to play the part, but near the end of the writing process he felt he knew the character so thoroughly that, combined with his acting experience, he wanted to take a crack at it. Beal and Ravella said they wanted to tell a story using vampires because they "have a very allegorical nature to them. They're full of secrets and a good way for people to relate to the themes of pain and failure."
The Sanguinarian was filmed entirely in Boise. The filmmakers created no definitive era, but the setting resembles a post-industrial metropolis, circa the 1940s. When Ravella started making the film a few years ago, skeptics told her that her film was too large to make in Boise. She ignored the naysayers and moved forward, employing a number of international musicians and costumers. Local filmmaker Michael D. Gough (America's Core) served as cinematographer.
After seeing a rough cut of the film, it's safe to say that Ravella managed to prove her skeptics wrong. Given the state of the economy now, Ravella said she's glad she started when she did, although it was still tough going. Ravella received help from the city but said she didn't get much from the Idaho Film Commission. She said she's not likely to make another film in Idaho, but she and Beal are glad Boise audiences will get to see The Sanguinarian on Saturday, June 5, before they submit it to national and international film festivals. They've already submitted it in Germany, England and Australia and have received interest from some studio executives.
For more information on the red carpet screening at the Egyptian Theatre on Saturday, June 5, visit The Sanguinarian Facebook page.
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(based on 2 user reviews)
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Do attend this! Contrary to Jacob's hopes, we local Vampires will be present! We will not be biting though, except as part of the fund raising festivities.
Your Neighborhood Vampire
“The Sanguinarian”, June 5, 2010 Boise, Idaho- Red Carpet premiere
Jake Freeman
“The Sanguinarian”’s featured character, Christoph, initially appears to be a reluctant vampire. He is handsome, fine-featured and pale and seems uninterested in his more exuberant counterparts. He spends his days (nights) in the Blood Bar and imbibes vintage hemoglobin with an assortment of interesting characters from the past to the present. You may recognize some of them…
Christoph appears to be struggling. He seems to be superior to his fellow fiends, yet confesses his failure and his worthlessness. Maybe he hasn’t accomplished everything he wished to do. Everywhere, vampires of every era and predilection whisper in his ear, “Come join us!”, but Christoph is different.
Shakespearean-styled dialogue is woven into the movie. Listen carefully. There are choice commentary tidbits that make the movie especially unique.
The story harbors its mystery until the end. If you need instant gratification it will involve too much thought and patience for you to sit still for all the good parts.
The team who conjured and breathed life into Christoph's story worked tirelessly and well. The tale of The Sanguarian's creation is a movie of its own.
People may say Vampires don’t belong in Boise….Sanguinarians, as seductive and cunning as they are…are no worse than the current blood lust for running others out of business, the financial bloodletting at a divorce or a funeral, the corporate habit of amputating workers who may do good work but don’t ‘fit’ the company profile.
The Vampires ARE here and the Sanguinarian has a message. The essence of evil could be a dormant seed waiting to sprout within all of us. None are immune.
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