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The Velvet Vampire (18*) + intro by scholar and filmmaker Bev Zalcock (18*)

Hidden Figures: Stephanie Rothman

,Cinema 3
A woman lies in bed with a man, wrapped in red bed sheets.

Stephanie Rothman subverts conventions of exploitation cinema, creating the first truly feminist vampire movie with her signature style, wit and surreal use of sun-drenched California locations.

Young couple Lee (Michael Blodgett) and Susan (Sherry Miles) meet the mysterious Diane (Celeste Yarnall), who invites them to her secluded desert home. Little do they know that this temptress is a centuries-old vampire, becoming objects of her own desires. 

With psychedelic visuals and surreal dream sequences, Rothman foregrounds sexual agency and pleasure, exploring the shifting values of the early 70s as erotic tensions arise in the Californian desert.  

Rothman plays with the conventions of the genre, prioritising a feminist perspective and playful exploration of gender roles by subverting the common trope of the male vampire, thereby allowing Diane to project her dark feminine desires. 

Tagged with: Cinema Stephanie Rothman

Please note this film contains scenes depicting sex and violence. 

Film information
  • Release year   1971
  • Country   USA
  • Director   Stephanie Rothman
  • Runtime   1 hr 20 min

Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.