SON of Nosferatu

"The SON of Nosferatu? Not ANOTHER vampire movie!" I said to myself, but I went to the screening anyway and was more than pleasantly surprised by this totally original short film. This is a contemporary tale of the progeny "fangster" -- now condemned to walk the grubby streets of London -- selling homeless magazines and snapping ineffectually at the passersby.

SON (played by the multi-faceted Tim Dry) is convincingly frustrated by the recession, as well as the difficulties he faces trying to call up his basic vampire faculties, but help is at hand from gorgeous fairy Melanie (Sophie Sumner). Together they embark upon a bumpy, colorful and hilarious journey (engagingly provided by director-writer David Rose), as they attempt to secure the future of the "Occult of the Undead". Composer Henry Marsh provides the atmospheric score and the supporting cast give their all.

I was lucky enough to see the screening of this wonderful little movie in London last year.And for twenty minutes or so I was enchanted in every way. It's a simple tale of a homeless vampire reduced to snarling the streets of London, trying to sell charity newspapers to wary passers by. Luckily he encounters a mischievous fairy who's recently been ejected from the fairy ring, who decides to help our hero regain his rightful place and propagate his race.

Tim Dry, in the title role, is a joy to watch. His knowingly OTT performance ranging from shades of Buster Keaton to Steven Berkoff to Max Schreck seamlessly in every scene. And Sophie Sumner, as Melanie the naughty fairy, lights up the screen every time she appears.Managing to convey a gauche inquisitiveness and a sly adventurousness all at once. The on screen chemistry between the two leads is wonderful and successfully blends pathos, a cheeky sexuality and humour together in a delightful way. Rula Lenska brings a smoky gravitas to her role as the majestic Fairy Mother and Edmund Kingsley hams it up wonderfully as an aspirational horror film Director.

The jokes and sight gags come thick and fast throughout, the script (by David Rose) is concise, clever and doesn't take itself too seriously.The lighting, locations and the score by Henry Marsh all give the film life and energy. Highly recommended and I for one hope that it goes to feature length or maybe a TV series. Great stuff!

Just when you thought that you'd had enough of the whole vampire shtick, this refreshingly inventive little short comes along.

Running at a brisk twenty minutes, you're left only wanting more from this London-based fable of the vampire SON -- a down-and-out bloodsucker who has lost his powers and has ended up selling homeless magazines on the street. Luckily, he is rescued by a bodacious fairy intent on helping him get his mojo back, with unpredictably hilarious consequences.

The leads, Tim Dry and Sophie Sumner, shine in their roles (with help from Edmund Kingsley and Rula Lenska) and writer-director David Rose helms the flick with imaginative flair.