Vampir Cuadecuc

Made in Spain while General Franco was still in power and shown clandestinely, Pere Portabella's extraordinary Vampir Cuadecuc ostensibly follows the filming of Jesús Franco's shocker El conde Dracula starring Christopher Lee, Herbert Lom and the exquisite Soledad Miranda. This experimental 'making of' documentary and investigation into the myth of the vampire, becomes a powerful political metaphor for bloodthirsty fascism epitomised by Franco and tyrants like him, a witty allegory with Dracula as the dictator whose demise is certain. Dispensing almost entirely with dialogue, Portabella utilises an abstract, fabulously idiosyncratic soundscape created by renowned Catalan artist and musician Carles Santos. The effect is surreal and wondrous to behold. (Second Run)