The Love Witch - Retro Horror

[Hedji]

So, has anyone seen The Love Witch yet? I have not, but am highly anticipating it.

Here's the skinny:
-Throwback horror melodrama (I think it's VERY reminiscent of Romero's Season of the Witch)
-Shot in 35mm with garish, bright colors... made to look very period
-Female auteur Director Anna Biller - Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Production & Costume Designer (WOW!)

I've heard it could be a tad too long at 2 hours, but it is a feast for the eyes. I would think if it's any good, it should at least get an Honorable Mention on this years Plaid Stallions Retro Awards

Glorious Poster Art



Here is the NSFW trailer from distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories:

http://thelovewitch.oscilloscope.net/

I'm just waiting for a little extra pocket money before I buy this one, but it looks right up my alley.

Anyway, for a site connected to all things genre and retro, I thought this one deserved a mention.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Certainly has the vibe of a Count Yorga film. A little more skin, it seems, but since Yorga began it's life as a porno...

Very interesting. Could have done without that scene of the old naked people playing ring around the rosey, though.

Chris

[PNGwynne]

Certainly has the vibe of a Count Yorga film. A little more skin, it seems, but since Yorga began it's life as a porno...

Chris

What, really!?

Thank s for the referral, Andy.

[Hedji]

You're welcome. I'm dying to see this, but trying to decide between the packaging on the UK version (Region B, can't share with friends, but cheaper) and the US version direct from Oscilloscope (nicer digipak packaging, worse photo cover, Region A, more expensive).

I've heard the director refute a lot of people's assumptions on what her influences were for this picture. A lot of people have thrown around Hammer films as an influence, but I don't think so. This looks more like a 60s melodrama combined with Season of the Witch (George Romero's little seen bored housewife-gets-into-witchcraft film) from the early 70s.

But oooohh that eye popping technicolor!

[PNGwynne]

I need to check out Season of the Witch--it sounds interesting, and frankly, perfect for a remake. I like Weird Woman and Night if the Eagle, so who knows...

[Hedji]

Season of the Witch is really something wonderful. But those expecting your typical George Romero horror film will be incredibly disappointed. It's really just a portrait of a middle aged housewife in the early 1970s who is feeling completely empty inside, with a daughter who has left the nest, and a husband who isn't there for her. So, she naturally turns to witchcraft. It gets a bum rap because it's such a departure for Romero. (It was originally titled Jack's Wife, and then Hungry Wives). It is going to be released on Blu Ray this year by cult label Arrow films. Should be great.

I'm also thinking an influence on this film may be the little seen The Velvet Vampire, which is another female directed horror film from the early seventies. It's a slow burn, but a fairly decent modern gender reversal on the Dracula story. It's streaming on Shudder, and is available in a limited blu ray from Scream Factory. (Not a GREAT film, so I'd recommend a rental first).

[Iron Mego]

This looks fun, and the lead actress is all kinds of gorgeous. I've got it on my watchlist, just hoping it becomes available via Prime so's I can watch it for free.

[Earth 2 Chris]

It feels a bit like the contemporary Hammer films, like Dracula A.D. 1972 and Satanic Rites of Dracula. I can see that.

What, really!?

Yep, it's true. The original film began as a soft-core porno with horror overtones, but Robert Quarry himself steered the producers into a more...reputable direction.

Chris