Film Fest Gent - Videodroom 2025: Cuadecuc, vampir

Experience a night of breathtaking surrealism and electrifying sound art with Film Fest Gent’s Videodroom, taking over the Miry Concert Hall for a truly unforgettable evening. The program opens with Norwegian pianist Anja Lauvdal, who will perform a captivating new soundtrack to Germaine Dulac’s cinematic masterpiece, *La coquille et le clergyman*. Following this, prepare to be mesmerized as the hypnotic tape loops of musicologist and composer Natasha Pirard enter into a profound dialogue with Pere Portabella’s singular film, *Cuadecuc, vampir*. The story behind *Cuadecuc, vampir* is as remarkable as the film itself. Originally conceived as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Jess Franco's 1970 adaptation of *Dracula*, featuring a young Christopher Lee, Pere Portabella seized the opportunity to create a daring avant-garde film alongside it. Shot in stark black and white and devoid of dialogue, Portabella’s film offers a uniquely raw perspective, showcasing the filmmaking process – from boom mics and cables to makeup artists – all visible within the frame. Echoing the styles of Murnau and Dreyer, *Cuadecuc, vampir* blurs the lines between fiction and documentary, ultimately revealing a poignant commentary on the oppressive Franco regime. More than just a vampire story, it unveils the dictator himself as a chilling figure of censorship and control. In a special collaboration with the Portabella family, and in celebration of his upcoming 100th birthday, celebrated composer Natasha Pirard has created a stunning new score for *Cuadecuc, vampir*. A rising star in the world of experimental music, Pirard’s work, reminiscent of William Basinski and Suzanne Ciani, is a captivating blend of dreamy tape loops, guitar, and evocative synth textures. To create this immersive soundtrack, Pirard undertook a residency at Ghent’s IPEM institute, utilizing the legendary EMS Synthi 100—an ultra-rare synthesizer with only four working units remaining. Prepare to be transported by the mesmerizing sounds coaxed from this remarkable instrument, woven into a deeply moving cinematic experience.