Top 100 Most Anticipated Foreign Films of 2015: #65. Marco Bellocchio’s L’ultimo Vampiro

L’ultimo Vampiro

Director: Marco Bellocchio // Writer: Marco Bellocchio

Marco Bellocchio is a key figure from mid-60s radical Italian cinema with his 1965 film Fists in the Pocket. He’s gone on to enjoy a steady filmography with intermittent renewals of interest in his work, such as critical hits with titles like Good Morning, Night (2003), and, most recently with his scalding Vincere (2009). While we found his Isabelle Huppert/Toni Servillo headlined euthanasia film Dormant Beauty (2012) to be a bit overwrought (we interviewed the filmmaker then) , we’re excited to see his latest, which has received a provocative new title, L’ultimo Vampiro (The Last Vampire)—formerly known as La Monaca. Bellocchio reunites with Rohrwacher and his regular cast mate Roberto Herlitzka for this tale based on the true tale of a 17th century noblewoman forced to become a nun, but whose free-spirited love affairs inside the convent lead to incarceration. Sounds like Ken Russell inspired material, reminiscent perhaps of Benoit Jacquot’s underrated 2010 film, Deep in the Woods.

Cast: Alba Rohrwacher, Filippo Timi, Roberto Herlitzka

Production Co.: Kavac Film, Babe Film, Amka Film Productions.

U.S. Distributor: Rights Available.

Release Date: Bellocchio last premiered in Venice, but timing should tip Cannes in his favor.

.