Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary (2002)

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writers:

Bram Stoker (novel)
Mark Godden (ballet Dracula)

Release Date:

12 December 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Horror | Musical

Plot:

A ballet rendition of Bram Stoker's gothic novel DRACULA, presented in a style reminiscent of the silent...

Plot Keywords:

Gothic | Ballet | Dracula | Dance | Fiancee

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Wei-Qiang Zhang	...	Dracula (as Zhang Wei-Qiang)
Tara Birtwhistle	...	Lucy Westernra
David Moroni	...	Dr. Van Helsing
CindyMarie Small	...	Mina
Johnny A. Wright	...	Jonathon Harker (as Johnny Wright)
Stephane Leonard	...	Arthur Holmwood
Matthew Johnson	...	Jack Seward
Keir Knight	...	Quincy Morris
Brent Neale	...	Renfield
Stephanie Ballard	...	Mrs. Westernra
Sarah Murphy-Dyson	...	Maid / Nun / Vampiress
Carrie Broda	...	Maid / Nun
Gail Stefanek	...	Maid / Vampiress
Janet Sartore	...	Maid / Nun
Jennifer Welsman	...	Gargoyle / Nun

Runtime:

73 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12A

Filming Locations:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Vonnie Von Helmolt Film

One of director Guy Maddin's best

"Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary" does the impossible - it makes ballet entertaining to me. I've never been remotely interested in ballet. While I admit it takes a lot of skill to perform, it always bores me. That being said, I'm shocked at how much I enjoyed "Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary". Considering the fact that I was moderately biased towards hating the film, thats a remarkable accomplishment. In fact, I'd say its one of the greatest adaptations of the much-filmed novel, right up there with both of the versions of "Nosferatu" by Murnau and Herzog. Its all testament to how talented and visionary director Guy Maddin is.

Maddin crafts this as a silent film. If you're unfamiliar with Guy Maddin, what he generally does is create surrealist fantasy films in the style of silent and early sound cinema. He typically does this with a droll and campy sense of humor. While his humor works in other films, he thankfully avoids it here - while this version of "Dracula" is never outright frightening, its beautifully dreamlike, and any gags would've ruined it completely.

Also, Maddin jettisons the whole "vampire as a metaphor for venereal disease" motif which has been overdone while taking on a much more relevant subtext of modern day xenophobia. Still, there is a heavy sense of eroticism throughout the film. "Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary" isn't my personal favorite Maddin film, but its possibly his finest achievement. I never saw myself recommending ballet, but this is definitely mandatory viewing. (9/10)