Hull Independent Cinema presents, as part of the BFI In Dreams Are Monsters season:
A VAMPIRE DOUBLE BILL at Hull Minster: a screening of NOSFERATU (1922) with live piano and violin score; a panel discussion exploring the role of the vampire on screen; and a screening of A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT (2014).
NOSFERATU with live score
Dir F.W. Murnau | 1922 | Germany | 94 mins | PG | Silent with English intertitles and live score
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2022, NOSFERATU is a towering masterpiece whose legacy is truly incalculable and remains as mesmerising – and haunting – as ever.
Estate agent Thomas Hutter travels to the Transylvanian castle of mysterious Count Orlok, who is interested in property in the German town of Wisbourg. Why do the locals refuse to help Hutter get to his destination? Why, when he makes it, does Hutter feel a strange presence in the castle? Why does Orlok spend his days asleep? And why is he so interested in Hutter’s wife, Ellen? Once Hutter realises the truth, he faces a race against time to save his home town and Ellen from Orlok’s clutches.
Presented with an improvised live score by Jonny Best (piano) and Irine Røsnes (violin).
Starring Max Schrek, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schröder
“To watch ‘Nosferatu’ is to see the vampire movie before it had really seen itself. Here is the story of Dracula before it was buried alive in clichés, jokes, TV skits, cartoons and more than 30 other films. The film is in awe of its material. It seems to really believe in vampires.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“The startling eeriness of Murnau’s vision comes from its studied dismantling of the titular monster’s humanism, and in its canny way of making the creature a haunting, potent presence without giving away the mystery of his existence in the narrative. ★★★★” – Chris Cabin, Slant Magazine
“Nosferatu should be experienced before a screen in darkness, with the film flooding your senses. It is a powerful, atmospheric film.” – Kieron Tyler, The Arts Desk
A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
Dir Ana Lily Amipour | 2014 | Iran | 101 mins | 15 | Persian with English language subtitles
In the Iranian ghost town of Bad City, Arash tries his best to make a living working as a gardener. Unknown to him and the townspeople, the city is inhabited by a young vampire who acts as a sort of vigilante, choosing to feed from those who she considers “bad”, killing them without mercy. But when one night she runs into Arash, she will finally know the possibilities that love offers, in a genre-defying film brimming with visual and musical style.
Cinema’s first Iranian vampire western, Ana Lily Amirpour’s debut feature basks in the sheer pleasure of pulp. A joyful mash-up of genre, archetype, and iconography, its prolific influences span spaghetti westerns, graphic novels, horror films, and the Iranian New Wave. Amped by a mix of Iranian rock, techno, and Morricone-inspired riffs, its airy, anamorphic, black-and-white aesthetic and artfully drawn-out scenes combine the simmering tension of Sergio Leone with the weird surrealism of David Lynch.
Starring Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi
Deauville Film Fest: Winner, Revelations Prize
London Film Fest: Nominee, Best Film
Film Independent Spirit Awards: Nominee, Best First Feature, Best Cinematography
“It’s a spooky, moody doozy of a debut, shot in a radiant monochrome that somehow makes even the darkness sparkle.” – Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
“A wildly inventive Iranian vampire movie that grabs you by the throat with its dark, moody style, a pulsating soundtrack and offbeat love story.” – David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle
“This is a dream on your screen, absurd, languid, and possessed by the calm of an inevitable beauty. This is what cinema was invented for.” – David Thompson, The New Republic
DISCUSSION PANEL
Between the two film screenings we will be hosting a panel discussion exploring some of the themes shared by the two films, the representation of the vampire on film and the role of music in horror among other subjects, with opportunities for audience questions. Confirmed panel guests are:
Revd Dominic Black, Priest-in-Charge, Hull Minster. As well as being in charge of the Minster, our fantastic venue, the Revd Black has a particular interest in the portrayal of ‘evil’ on screen.
Dr Maryam Ghorbankarimi, Director of Film Studies, University of Lancaster. Dr Ghorbankarimi specialises in the representation of gender and sexuality in Iranian cinema.
Jonny Best, pianist with Yorkshire Silent Film Festival. Jonny is our pianist for NOSFERATU and has a wealth of experience and expertise in improvising live scores for silent films.
Further guests to be confirmed.
Programme and Venue Details
The programme run time includes an allowance for introductions. No trailers will be shown and the programme will start promptly at 7pm.
1830: Doors open (the Minster café / bar will be open for drinks and snacks)
1900: Introductions
1905: NOSFERATU
2040: Interval (the Minster café / bar will be open for drinks and snacks)
2100: Discussion panel
2130: A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
2315: Event ends
Seating in the Minster is not upholstered; you may want to bring a cushion!
The Minster is heated to 19ºC but may get chilly on a cold night; please dress accordingly.
Films will start promptly, and we may not be able to admit latecomers until a suitable break in the programme. We reserve the right to refuse entry without a refund for anyone arriving after the advertised start time.
Please note that although NOSFERATU has a PG certificate, the event is only open to people aged 15 and over to abide by the certificate for A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop us a line at hello@hullindependentcinema.com or on social media.
Ticket Terms and Conditions
If any tickets remain unsold they can be purchased on the door on the night of the screening, but we strongly advise buying in advance. Advance tickets must be purchased; we cannot reserve tickets. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. If you purchase a member, student or 25 and under ticket, your membership card, student or personal ID MUST be presented along with your ticket on the door when you come to a film. If you do not have your card or ID we reserve the right to charge the non-discount rate for your ticket.
