The Hunger

 (1983)

"Nothing human lives forever."

"The Hunger", the directorial debut of Tony Scott (Ridley's brother), is a stylish, beautifully directed and sensual film starring Catherine Deneuve as vampire Miriam Blalock, and David Bowie as John, the most recent in her succession of chosen humans she has turned vampire to be her lover and companion. The two live together in a beautiful New York townhouse, private tutors of classical music as their cover. At night they haunt nightclubs, dressed in elegant clothing and sunglasses, hunting prey (look for Ann Magnuson in a bit part as one of their meals).

Miriam is a centuries-old bisexual vampire dating back to ancient Egypt, who met John in 18th century France, promising him eternal life; unknown to him, she has promised the same to many others before (she alternates the genders of her chosen companions thoughout the ages). The lie begins reveal itself as John starts to have trouble sleeping, then as he abruptly and rapidly ages in the waiting room of Dr. Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon), a researcher of sleep and aging disorders. Miriam looks to Sarah as John's potential successor; Sarah falls under her spell when she goes to the townhouse to find John, and encounters Miriam instead, leading to the scene for which this film is best known.

If you're expecting a fast-paced vampire film showcasing fangs, flying bats, wooden stakes, and the usual trappings, look elsewhere; "The Hunger" is a film of striking imagery and languid elegance, even in its violent scenes, and an all-encompassing sexual atmosphere right up until the shocking and almost surreal ending. The performances of Deneuve and Bowie (Deneuve is the epitome of the classy and distant blonde ala Alfred Hitchcock's preference for his female leads, and Bowie expertly handles his character's transition from young to old, both physically and emotionally) ensure that The Hunger will remain known as the perfect vampire film of the 1980s, and a timeless cult classic in its own right.  

The 1981 novel of the same name by Whitley Strieber is a compelling read, and a fitting addition to the bookshelves of anyone who enjoys books by authors such as Anne Rice or Charlaine Harris.

Photo credit: MGM

Brazil

(1985)

"It's only a state of mind."

"Brazil" is the second feature film by Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame.  If you're familiar with Gilliam's extremely off-the-wall animated sequences from his work with the Monty Python Group, and/or have seen his first feature-length film (Time Bandits, from 1981) then you might be able to imagine what sprouts from his creative consciousness in his second full-length film.

Starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Michael Palin, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, and Ian Holm, "Brazil" is a sci-fi fantasy and black comedy that defies clear explanation (just as you might expect from Gilliam); rife with visuals and creative lunacies that amuse, fascinate, and horrify.

Bryce stars as Sam Lowry, a bureaucrat in a futuristic world, whose boring life changes after his lovelorn daydreams of a woman he's never met draw him unwittingly into an increasingly surreal world that, since the making of the film over 25 years ago, foreshadows a possible future for us all.

"Brazil" will be showing in Raleigh at The North Carolina Museum  of Art, at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Friday, September 23rd at 8 pm.  The film is part of the Fall Film Series at the Museum focusing on surrealism.  Tickets are $3.50 for Museum members, students, Cinema Inc. and Galaxy Cinema members, and $5 for all others.  Tickets may be ordered by phone by calling 919-715-5923, and in person (East Building) during regular hours:  Tues.-Thur., Sat.-Sun. 10 am-5pm, Fri. 10 am-9 pm.Photo credit: Embassy International Pictures