Trying to confirm a post related to the French Actress Annie Belle…it was sad news but I don’t have confirmation yet, so this is at this point an homage to her life and career.
As IMDB.com lists:
“Annie Belle was born Annie Brilland on December 10, 1956 in Paris, France. Annie acted in her first film while still in her teens in 1974. Among the notable directors that Belle starred in movies for are Jean Rollin, Joe D’Amato, Massimo Dallamano, and Ruggero Deodato.”
Belle appeared win a number of terrific films in the 70’s and into the 80’s…including “House On The Edge Of The Park” with David Hess, known of course for “The Last House On The Left.”
That Deodato film has been remastered and is available on disc…one of her most hypnotic films was for the legendary French Director Jean Rollin…
If you’ve never heard of Rollin, you have missed out on some very atmospheric, haunting, nudity and blood-filled – yet somewhat slow-moving – European art-film horror…
Jean Rollin was a French film director, actor, and novelist – best known for his films in the “fantastique” genre, as they say in France. He specialized in atmospheric horror of the 70’s – when relaxed censorship rules in cinema allowed Directors to push the envelope!
In 1968, Jean directed his first feature, his black-n-white film “The Rape of the Vampire”. It’s very European in nature – slow, atmospheric, moody – with limited locations, sets and very long takes.
“Rape Of The Vampire” was the first of a string of moody horror films that should fall under the label of “Artsploitation”, as they mixed lots of blood, sex, nudity and horror with an Independent, European Arthouse sensibility.
Oh, and did I mention that his films were filled with BLOOD!
Thanks to the terrific “Redemption” series of releases – from the “Redemption Films” group – these movies are now available again – and gives each film a newly remastered look, plus tons of extras like documentaries, audio commentaries and trailers – a terrific job. Here are three of Jean Rollin’s most famous efforts!
Requiem For A Vampire
On the run from a reform school, two young women commit crimes dressed as clowns.
Yes, they commit crimes dressed as clowns. How can you argue with that?
Of course, the two “fleeing female clowns” seek refuge in a haunted castle, and end up trapped with no escape!
Because, as happens too often, this haunted castle is ruled by a hoard of sexy, blood-crazed vampires and their leader, an evil immortal creature who is the last of his kind.
Seeking to reproduce his race, he preys on his innocent victims, however in order to achieve his goal of immortality, the women must remain virgins.
There was no dialogue in the first forty minutes of the films, to simplify the story, direction and cinematography. The mood is atmospheric, and the pacing, as in all Jean Rollin movies an acquired taste, but it is full of unique and at times haunting imagery.
But, for haunting imagery, perhaps nothing can top this:
Fascination
Considered by many to be the masterpiece of renowned French filmmaker Jean Rollin, “FASCINATION” follows a swaggering thief who hides out in a lavish chateau, holding the female occupants at gunpoint.
You can sense a trend here: Rollin’s films usually involve women who are kidnapped or held against their will – and who wreck revenge against their abductors – usually men. And they always end up in a deserted castle.
Women With A Thirst For Blood!
When night falls, the “Fascination” captor realizes that these two maids are not only deadlier than he imagined, but are gatekeepers to a ring of women with a thirst for blood.
Once again, the film is filled with hynotic imagery like this:
And what I think is his most dynamic image ever captured in one of his films – the blonde on the bridge with the sickle…
This action sequence, while fairly slow moving – it is, as you know, Jean Rollin – this sequence is beautifully done and hypnotic…
Here is part of the sequence:
Brigitte Lahaie also appeared in adult films and is still a very popular Actress and Radio Personality….here’s another Rollin film that is worth finding:
The Living Dead Girl
Here is the simple plot: A toxic spill revives a beautiful, dead heiress who, with the help of her childhood friend, must quench her insatiable thirst for blood.
“The Living Dead Girl” is a melancholy, moody bloodfest – it is certainly Rollin’s bloodiest film…
But “The Living Dead Girl” is also a love story – the story of two close friends, and how one of them just can’t let the other go – NO MATTER WHAT:
This film is very interesting: it is moody, a bit slow, and very atmospheric – and there is a lot of blood!
And, like all of Jean Rollin’s film, it has lots of nudity as well, but most of it is of a non-sexual nature.
Here is our living dead girl, playing the song that reminds her of her best friend:
Of course, she played it nude. Their friendship in the film is very touching, adding a real sense of melancholy to the film – in and around all of the blood!
Director Jean Rollin died in 2010, but all of these releases have extensive material with him, as he actively participated in these great remasters. He introduces some of the films, takes part in commentaries, and discusses his work with passion and pride.
I will update with more information when I get it.
Categories: Action Films, Exploitation films, Film Noir, Foreign Films, Grindhouse, Horror films, Movies, Obscure Movies, Revenge Movies, Sexploitation Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Reblogged this on johnrieber and commented:
In the mood for some Jean Rollin today
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