A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night proclaims itself to be the first "Iranian vampire western", and it in fact fulfills with what it promises... even though there's some falseness in its origin (it was shot in California). But the actors, language and culture from Iran are present in every frame of the film, but director and screenwriter Ana Lily Amirpour (who was born in England and raised in the United States, but she has Iranian descent) manipulates our perception of that region in order to bring the film a unique tone and taste, making it a fascinating experience which borrows from many genres in order to create something original and very entertaining. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night reminded me of the films directed by Jim Jarmusch (it could even be considered a prequel of Only Lovers Left Alive), because it possesses that strange easiness to create realistic characters under very unusual circumstances, and involved into a diffuse and melancholic narrative whose parsimonious rhythm highlights the drama and invites us the explore the deep (and at the same time accessible) subjects. And, sure, all that is accompanied by an extraordinary soundtrack. What does all that mean? A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is a slow, but never boring, film, which I would describe as a romantic drama with characters who are superficially different, but trapped in the same vicious circle of isolation and hopelessness. Will they be able to escape, or will they become victims of their mutual distrust? The whole cast makes a wonderful work in their roles, highlighting Sheila Vand, who is absolutely credible as the tragic anti-heroine. The screenplay takes advantage of the classic "wish/death" duality which is present in the best vampire stories, and moves it to a setting of rural decadence which evokes the European roots of the myth, while updating it with a casual and attractive "retro- cool" atmosphere. And I also have to mention the obligatory social/feminist commentary expressed in moments of an unexpected greatness, such as when the traditional "chuddar" employed by Iranian women takes the appearance of vampire wings. Finally, the beautiful black-and-white cinematography brings texture to every scene, with precise frames which make even the most filthy alley or prosaic building look like a work of art. Despite some small whims from the screenplay (such as the woman dancing with the balloon), I liked A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night very much, and I definitely recommend it, specially to those who like "weird" and genuinely independent cinema which defies description and refuses to fit into rigid formats for commercial convenience. However, I have to say that A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is very far from being a horror film, at least in the conventional sense, so don't expect blood or special effects... just the eternal loneliness from the vampire and the weight of the conscience which connects her to her lost humanity. In summary, a big step in the redemption of the legendary monster, which had lost its fangs due to a cultural over-exposition.