Carmilla
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEmily Harris
Screenplay byEmily Harris
Based onCarmilla
by Sheridan Le Fanu
Produced by
  • Lizzie Brown
  • Emily Precious
Starring
CinematographyMichael Wood
Edited byRebecca Lloyd
Music byPhilip Selway
Production
companies
  • Tilly Films
  • Bird Flight Films
  • Fred Films
Distributed byRepublic Film Distribution
Release dates
  • 28 June 2019 (2019-06-28) (Edinburgh)
  • 16 October 2020 (2020-10-16) (United Kingdom)
Running time
94 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16,791[2]

Carmilla is a 2019 British romantic vampire horror film written and directed by Emily Harris in her feature directorial debut. Based on the 1871 novella of the same name by Sheridan Le Fanu, it stars Jessica Raine, Hannah Rae, Devrim Lingnau, Tobias Menzies, and Greg Wise. The film follows a lonely woman preyed upon by the titular vampire.

Carmilla premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 28 June 2019, and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 16 October 2020.

Premise

Lara lives with her father and her strict governess, Miss Fontaine, in total isolation, and is struggling to find an outlet for her curiosity and burgeoning sexuality. When a carriage crash nearby brings a young woman into the family home to recuperate, Lara is enchanted by Carmilla. The pair strike up a passionate relationship, which strikes fear in the heart of Miss Fontaine, and a complex triangulate emerges between the three women.

Cast

Production

Pre-production

On 17 August 2017, Screen Daily reported that Jessica Raine and Tobias Menzies had been cast in the film, joining Hannah Rae, Devrim Lingnau, and illusionist Scott Silven in the production.[3]

Filming

Principal photography began in East Sussex[3] on 11 September 2017.[4]

Release

Carmilla had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 28 June 2019.[5] The film was originally set to be released in the United Kingdom on 3 April 2020 by Republic Film Distribution,[6] but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic;[7] it was ultimately released in cinemas on 16 October 2020 and through video on demand on 19 October.[8][9] In May 2020, Film Movement acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film and released it in virtual cinemas on 17 July 2020.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "Carmilla (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Carmilla (2019)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Jessica Raine, Tobias Menzies board UK gothic drama 'Carmilla'". Screen Daily. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  4. ^ Grater, Tom (8 September 2017). "Altitude boards Jessica Raine-starring gothic drama 'Carmilla' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  5. ^ Stewart, Sophia (27 June 2019). "EIFF 2019 Women Directors: Meet Emily Harris – "Carmilla"". Women and Hollywood. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  6. ^ Billington, Alex (3 February 2020). "Official Trailer for Emily Harris' Gothic Novella Adaptation 'Carmilla'". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  7. ^ Sheehan, Steven (27 March 2020). "A list of all UK film releases postponed or cancelled by the coronavirus (updated)". The Digital Fix. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  8. ^ Dalton, Ben (16 October 2020). "'Carmilla' seals Germany, Australia deals ahead of UK release (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  9. ^ Newman, Kim (16 October 2020). "Carmilla stirs old sapphic terrors". Sight & Sound. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  10. ^ Kay, Jeremy (15 May 2020). "Film Movement acquires 'Once Upon A River', Edinburgh premiere 'Carmilla' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  11. ^ Valentin, Mel (17 July 2020). "Review: CARMILLA, New, Refreshing Take on Old Vampire Tale". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

Further reading

External links

Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla
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