Strigoi is a 2009 British comedy horror film directed by Faye Jackson and starring Constantin Bărbulescu, Camelia Maxim, and Rudi Rosenfeld. Based on Romanian mythology, the film involves Romanian vampires, which are referred to as "strigoi".
Premise
After failing to establish himself abroad as a doctor, Vlad returns home to Romania, where he becomes convinced that his village is subject to vampire attacks.
Cast Constantin Bărbulescu as Constantin Tirescu Adrian Donea as Mara's Husband Zane Jarcu as Stefan (The Mayor) Vlad Jipa as Octav (The Policeman) Camelia Maxim as Mara Tomsa Cătălin Paraschiv as Vlad Cozma Dan Popa as Tudor (The Priest) Rudi Rosenfeld as Nicolae Cozma (Vlad's Grandfather)
Release Strigoi debuted on 17 August 2009 at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival and opened in other film festivals on the dates given below.
Region Release date FestivalCanadaToronto After Dark Film FestivalUnited StatesMaelstrom International Fantastic Film FestivalUnited StatesIdaho International Film FestivalCanadaEdmonton International Film FestivalUnited StatesEerie Horror Film FestivalUnited StatesAustin Film FestivalAustraliaFantastic Planet Film FestivalSouth AfricaSouth African HorrorfestGreeceInternational Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film FestivalSwitzerlandNeuchâtel International Fantastic Film FestivalUnited StatesAnother Hole in the Head
Reception Dennis Harvey of Variety called it "often drolly funny if a tad long-winded ... a witty and unpredictable upending of genre tropes". Bloody Disgusting rated it 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "While the overall relaxed tone sometimes slows the pace, satire and dramatic moments fill any voids." Kurt Halfyard of Twitch Film, in comparing it to contemporary vampire films, wrote that it is more akin to an art-house film that eschews shallow exploitation in favor of occasionally gory metaphor about Romania's history.
Accolades Strigoi earned various awards in categories ranging from recognition of the film itself to its screenplay, direction and editing, to the performance of the lead actors.
Year Festival Award Recipients2010Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film FestivalBest European Feature Film (Silver Méliès)Faye Jackson2009Fantastic Planet Film FestivalBest DirectorFaye Jackson2009Maelstrom International Fantastic Film FestivalBest FeatureFaye Jackson2009South African HORRORFESTBest PictureFaye Jackson2009Toronto After Dark Film FestivalBest Independent Feature Film (Gold Vision Award)Faye Jackson
References
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