tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post320733791387918948..comments2024-03-27T08:51:52.335-04:00Comments on The Bloody Pit of Horror: Leptirica (1973)The Bloody Pit of Horrorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04419921450872885649noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-47491851176529490892018-07-20T16:55:58.469-04:002018-07-20T16:55:58.469-04:00Leptirica is released officially on dual format ed...Leptirica is released officially on dual format edition in Germany by Ostalgica.djvasohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04323689146931929556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-57071824389037579812017-11-17T18:04:50.738-05:002017-11-17T18:04:50.738-05:00Thanks for all your notes Mateja. Often times when...Thanks for all your notes Mateja. Often times when I say not well known, I mean on a global scale. Most Yugoslavian films were never given a global release and are extremely difficult to find and even harder to find with subtitles. I can only really think of a few off-hand that were released outside of Europe. Not saying they don't have many acclaimed and great films there. Actually most of the movies I've seen from there I've liked a lot and look forward to seeing more.<br /><br />And you're absolutely right that a lot can be lost in translation. I have no clue how well or accurate the film was translated into English. The only copy I had (as you can probably tell from my photos it was awful quality) had fan made subs so that very well could have been an issue. This is one of those movies I'd likely revisit if I found a better copy of it in English.The Bloody Pit of Horrorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419921450872885649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-13852929320430885482017-11-07T19:11:50.653-05:002017-11-07T19:11:50.653-05:00With respect, a few points of contention.
1) &quo...With respect, a few points of contention.<br /><br />1) "Yugoslavia wasn't well-known for their horror output (or movie industry in general, really)"<br />Yugoslavia had the finest movie output of any Eastern European country of the day. In fact, it was comparable in the number of films produced even to Hollywood. However, you are right in saying that a lot of them didn't get distributed outside of Europe, however, at the time, there was hardly a year in which the Cannes film festival didn't have a Yugoslav film playing there. Also, six Yugoslav films have been Oscar-nominated. "The Battle of Neretva", the most profitable (if far from the best) Yugoslav film of all time was released in the US with a score composed by Bernard Herrmann and a poster painted by Pablo Picasso.<br />"Kelly's Heroes" was also a Yugoslav co-production, btw.<br /><br />2) "vukodlac" (vampire)<br />The Serbian word for a vampire is vampir (in fact, the word vampire originates from Eastern Europe). Vukodlak is the Serbian word for a werewolf which one of the pesants theorises might be to blame for the slayings.<br /><br />3) "Leptirica isn't particularly well-made or well-acted"<br />I have to strongly disagree with that statement. The cast is top-notch in every aspect and Djordje Kadijevic is one of the finest Yugoslav directors of all time. His technique is impeccable. Also, note the marvellous cinematography in the scene in which Radjoka observes her reflection in the water. The bad quality of the available print may make it difficult to see but that shot is breathtaking and the atmosphere of that scene is beyond eery.<br /><br />4) "has an unsteady tone (comedy elements often seem forced or completely out of place)"<br />The problem with this statement is that "Leptirica" was originally intended (and made) as a comedy. The biggest problem with foreigners coming to "Leptirica" is that Serbian humour really doesn't translate well. All of it hinges on wordplay and delivery so the content of the joke alone won't make you laugh. I can guarantee, however, that whenever shown to a Serbian audience, "Leptirica" absolutely kills (no pun intended). Also, if you ever go to a Serbian village you'll recognise all of these characters and their behaviours. Above all else, "Leptirica" rings soooo true it's unbelievable. Each of them from Živan to the drunken priest reminds me of people I know.<br /><br />5) "The biggest problem is that the whole thing is just too predictable."<br />Well, that's sort of like saying "Dracula" is predictable. It is now! "Leptirica" was the first Yugoslav vampire film and at the time was seen as original and surprising.<br /><br />6) "the vampire makes chimpanzee-like noises"<br />Those noises are of an actual bird you can hear in certain parts of former Yugoslavia.<br /><br />7) "this currently has the ridiculous, excessively high rating of 8.1 on IMDb, which I attribute to nostalgic viewers or patriotic ones"<br />I'm neither nostalgic (the film was made before I was born) nor patriotic but I think "Leptirica" is a classic. The hilarious comedic moments make the downbeat ending all the more depressing and disturbing. Kadijevic wasn't going for shocks or outright scares here. Each and every one of his films was made to stay with you. Not to have an immediate effect but rather to hit you when you go to sleep or tomorrow or even a few weeks later. Also, his desired effect is not scares but rather a lasting feeling of depression and melancholy.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br />MatejaMateja Đedovićhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13074000895047481790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-43152633312604028352012-07-03T02:10:22.939-04:002012-07-03T02:10:22.939-04:00I looked around and found an English fansubbed cop...I looked around and found an English fansubbed copy, so I'll be adding this to my summer viewing list.The Bloody Pit of Horrorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419921450872885649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-72351796954296081972012-07-02T05:56:22.243-04:002012-07-02T05:56:22.243-04:00I don't think A Holy Place has any legit DVD r...I don't think A Holy Place has any legit DVD release unfortunately. I got what I presume was a fan subbed TV rip from Megavideo last year so I presume it must be circulating in other such places as well.BWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13570418981619610382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-6447363528207353352012-06-28T19:25:51.699-04:002012-06-28T19:25:51.699-04:00Yep, it's from the same director. I just looke...Yep, it's from the same director. I just looked it up and see it's an adaptation of Gogol's "Viy." Is it available on DVD with English subs? Might be interesting to compare it to the 1967 Russian version of Viy, which I just watched last night (a little goofy at times but the final 10 minutes were amazing!)The Bloody Pit of Horrorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04419921450872885649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5214930440884348127.post-20502270780665486742012-06-28T17:03:23.193-04:002012-06-28T17:03:23.193-04:00Although I've not seen this one yet, I heartil...Although I've not seen this one yet, I heartily recommend A Holy Place, which I believe is by the same director. Good take on a Gogol story, with uneasy sexual undercurrents.BWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13570418981619610382noreply@blogger.com