- IMDb page: Kiss of the Damned (2012)
- Rate: 5.0/10 total 479 votes
- Release Date: 3 May 2013 (USA)
- Filming Location: New York City, New York, USA
- Director: Xan Cassavetes
- Stars: Joséphine de La Baume, Roxane Mesquida, Milo Ventimiglia | See full cast and crew
- Original Music By: Steven Hufsteter
- Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Writing Credits By:
(in alphabetical order)
Xan Cassavetes
Known Trivia
Plot: The vampire Djuna resists the advances of Paolo, but soon gives in to their passion. When her trouble-making sister unexpectedly comes to visit, Djuna's love is threatened, and the whole vampire community becomes endangered. | »
Story: The vampire Djuna resists the advances of Paolo, but soon gives in to their passion. When her trouble-making sister unexpectedly comes to visit, Djuna's love is threatened, and the whole vampire community becomes endangered.
{tab=Synopsis}
Synopsis: Story centers around two beautiful French vampire sisters who have separately come to stay at a summer estate -- a 'safe house' in Connecticut. Ventimiglia plays a screenwriter who begins a love affair with the "good" sister and insists on joining her among the undead. However, after they begin their life together, the other "bad" sister (Mesquida) shows up and begins wreaking havoc almost as soon as she arrives. Slowly, her dark presence threatens to destroy them all.
Produced By:
Adam S. Bersin known as executive producer
Athena Currey known as associate producer
Marcelo Gandola known as co-executive producer
Jen Gatien known as producer
Jacob Jaffke known as co-producer
Dawn Cullen Jonas known as co-executive producer
John F. Lyons known as co-producer
Jonathan Montepare known as co-producer
Alex Orlovsky known as producer
Jacob Pechenik known as executive producer
Riaz Tyab known as executive producer
Jonathan Vinnik known as executive producer
FullCast & Crew:
- Joséphine de La Baume known as Djuna
- Roxane Mesquida known as Mimi
- Milo Ventimiglia known as Paolo
- Anna Mouglalis known as Xenia
- Michael Rapaport
- Riley Keough
Juan Luis Acevedo known as Dimitry
Jay Brannan known as Hans
Jonathan Caouette known as Anton
Tiarnie Coupland known as Young Mimi
Megumi Haggerty known as Teen
Caitlin Keats known as Rebecca
Haley Kotch known as Teen
Victor Kubicek known as Alex
Andrew Kufta
Alexia Landeau known as Emily
Olivia Lauletta known as Young Djuna
Stephanie Little
Chris Meyer known as Jack
Tara Mossberg known as Blonde girl in supermarket
Ashley Munns
Taryn Reif known as Tan Girl
Peter Vack known as Adam
Ching Valdes-Aran known as Irene Pola
Stephen Winter known as Winter
Makeup Department:
Ozzy Alvarez known as special makeup effects department head
Ivy Ermert known as additional makeup artist
Denise Guerra known as additional hair stylist
Amanda Korfine known as makeup department head
Liliana Meyrick known as hair department head
Christian Salazar known as additional hair stylist
Art Department:
Julie Besancon known as assistant props
Tim Bruno known as props
Amy Teitter known as property master
Alisha Wetherill known as on-set dresser
Production Companies:
- Bersin Pictures (in association with)
- Deerjen Films
- Verisimilitude
Other Companies:
- Anarchy Post ADR recording facility
- Gray Krauss Des Rochers legal services
Distributors:
- Magnet Releasing (2013) (USA) (theatrical)
Special Effects:
- Company 3 NY (digital intermediate)
Visual Effects by:
Jesus Diez Perez known as digital compositor: Method Studios London
Aleksandar Djordjevic known as compositing supervisor: Method Studios
Alice Kahn known as visual effects coordinator: Method Studios, New York
David Piombino known as digital compositor: Method Studios
Wendy Seddon known as digital compositor
Raven Sia known as visual effects producer
Release Date:
Sweden 7 November 2012 (Stockholm International Film Festival)
USA 28 March 2013 (internet)
USA 5 April 2013 (International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival)
USA 5 April 2013 (Phoenix Film Festival)
Denmark 14 April 2013 (CPH PIX)
USA 3 May 2013
MPAA: Rated R for bloody violence, strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use
I saw this movie at this year's SXSW. It's refreshing to see a vampiremovie that features vampires in classical form... and it is even morerefreshing to see a story from the vampire's perspective. This moviemay not have hardcore CGI and 3D Gore splashing out into the audience,but it does however offer an interesting 'to the point' storyline andcreative indie film tactics. People giving this movie poor reviews areprobably looking for the next "Interview With A Vampire" or "Twilight"and are judging it on a summer blockbuster 10 million dollar budgetscale. I found this movie to be plenty entertaining and worth checkingout.
ReplyDeleteXan Cassavetes has attempted a sort of retro Vampire love story with astrong mix of 70's European music and stylish shadowy Gothic cameraangles and she also filmed it in what passed for a European lookinglocation but was actually New York. The cast were mostly Euro as well,which all helped tell this great love story. At one point, whilewatching I had this feeling of deja vu, and instantly thought of 'BlueValentine' and the way this love story 'looked' as though it might fallapart.
ReplyDeleteI liked the casting and everyone got a chance to do their thing. I wasdisappointed Riley Keough only had a small part because she's an actorthat looks as though she may eventually get somewhere. The two femaleleads Joséphine de La Baume and Roxane Mesquida were not known to mebut they were both great as the Vampire siblings. I always admireactors who can give great performances while speaking in a languagethat's clearly not their first. It speaks volumes. Milo Ventimiglia isanother solid actor and has loads of range but never really done morethan got warmed up in this film but it wasn't called for anyway.
The cinematography was brilliant and was always kept interesting,seeking out clever angles which was in keeping with the slightly offkey way the story unfolds. The flashbacks were strange at first but onreflection it added to the story and was quite a novel way of seeinginto the Vampires heads. This is a film that will stand the test oftime because the director has cleverly hidden most of the normal day today items, like cell phones for example, that would normally be a wayof ageing a movie but not this one. It could be 1970 or 2020 which isone way of keeping your film from becoming dated looking. A must forVampire fans.
Highly Recommended
Score: 7.1/10
∞ N∆√ ∞
All jokes aside, Xan Cassavetes' directorial debut is destined tobecome a cult classic. From the opening shots of the lonely mansion bythe lake, the film sets a tone that has you hooked. Cassavetes uses thelong empty corridor, the endless staircase, and the empty lakeforeshadowed by the overcast weather to put the viewer in exactly theright mood for what's to come. Her unique style of directing skips anyunnecessary prologue and tells the story through the interactionsbetween her characters. We first meet Djuna (Joséphine de La Baume), aneurotic introvert who spends her nights scavenging the forest foranimals and watching romantic movies. It is her love of the latter thatcauses her to cross paths with a handsome young man named Paolo (MiloVentimiglia) in a video store one night. From the moment their eyesmeet for the first time, both characters form an undeniable chemistry.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Djuna has a secret that could force an end to any possiblerelationship. She's a blood-sucking vampire who lusts for the innocentflesh of mortals. Paolo's naivety to such detrimental truths draws himcloser to Djuna despite her rejection of his advances. Like a flycaught in a spider's web, eventually Paolo's persistence reaches adeadly apex. He discovers the truth behind Djuna's dilemma, but insteadof running for the hills like one would expect, his infatuation remainsundeterred. He would rather be cursed as a vampire forever than live alife, regretting the love he denied. Immortal love happily ever after,right? WRONG! Paolo and Djuna's romantic harmony is soon disrupted bythe arrival of Djuna's sister, Mimi (Roxane Mesquida). From the momentMimi steps foot in the door, trouble looms like a dark cloud. Mimi isloud, obnoxious, psychotic and exudes a sexual presence that threatensto uproot Djuna's bond with Paolo. Wherever they go, Mimi sticks outlike a sore thumb. She lacks regard for social etiquette at a formalgathering of vampires, she openly hunts for human victims in publicareas, and she hosts sex parties in Djuna's home without her approval.Mimi is the epitome of a villainous vampire. She lacks the moral fiberthat the other vampires cling to and consciously attempts to underminetheir ethics.
Events begin to spiral more and more out of control until the finalshocking act. Xan Cassavetes must be highly commended for her firsteffort here. She treads a thin line that borders on vampireexploitation but never crosses it. She intersects horror and romancegenres effortlessly without the film ever becoming self-parody. Her useof atmospheric scenery, shot selection, lighting, and an eerilyeffective score are impeccable. There were moments where I thought Iwas watching Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. To those whose opinion ofvampires has been tarnished by the Twilight series, please watch thisfilm to see it done correctly for once.
3.5/5
I saw Kiss of the Damned at SXSW film fest in Austin Texas. It honestlyblew my mind. Great Director. Great film. Actresses were hauntinglystunning.Im sure they will be working all the time after word gets out.The sound track was to die for. The Images are staying with meeverywhere I go. Please make more films Mz Xan Cassavetes. Therelationship of the sisters can be related to many real life siblingsand/or friendships .The timeless feel of the home the sets the lightingthe music...its an other worldly experience.It might be ahead of itstime for people to get right away but its going to be something thatpeople will be drawn to for years to come. more more more please.
ReplyDelete"Kiss Of The Damned" is a modern Gothic vampire tale that meldselements of classic romance with dramatic thriller edginess. The filmis directed by Xan Cassavetes and stars Milo Ventimiglia, Joséphine deLa Baume, Roxane Mesquida . In the movie Djuna falls in love with ayoung man Paolo whom she tries to resist. Her desire and connection tothe suitor overtakes her convictions and she begins a relationship withthe man. Soon he becomes her companion in the world of night andvampirism. By no means is this a horror film. "Kiss Of The Damned" ismore of an Erotic Thriller than it is anything else. Keep that in mindwhen watching this film if you are expecting a "True Blood" highintensity or gore level because you will be disappointed. That beingsaid, I really enjoyed the movie. Let me explain…
ReplyDelete"Kiss Of The Damned" carries us back to the golden age of vampire taleswhen we held a romantic and dark desire for the creature of the night.This film is what I would imagine reading one of those supernaturalthemed Harlequin-eque romance novels would be like. The directorexplored the more passionate side of daily life and love affair betweena vulnerable but strong woman and a man desperate to love her in everyway. It was down right Gothic and sweet. The film didn't bother gettingtoo graphic or soft-core with the heightened sexuality of therelationships depicted in the movie but it was adult enough to be sheersupernatural eye candy. This movie is a great date movie for thatvampire loving partner or person you want to kick it with. The storywas compelling in true dramatic style that expresses the lives weexpect vampires to enjoy. Just note that this is not a "horror" movienor do I believe the director ever intended it to be one.
"Kiss Of The Vampire" is a film that flows more as an emotional heart-song with moments that rise to melodrama before sliding darkly downinto melancholy. There is plenty of blood soaked sequences that expressthe true nature and conflict that lives within the vampire but it doesnot push the themes to the level of grindhouse or exploitation. Themovie will not be for everyone and if you enter the tale looking forhigh octane exuberance, of ravenous creatures as monsters, with bodieswrithing in guts and gore- then you will not be satisfied. However ifyou remember the classic view of the more romantic creature of moreGothic tales of the vampire then this movie gives you the heat, passionand- yes -the bloodstains as well.
Visually, nice and dark, as it should be, and cinematographicallysurprising, considering the rating.
ReplyDeleteIt is underrated to be sure. The group that created and carried throughwith this work should be encouraged to continue. This is not the usualtreatment of the subject matter, and was a highly worthwhile viewingexperience for me. This one is different, and enjoyably so. There arerough spots, of course, but on balance, it has earned its place. I amglad that I have been reading user reviews of late, because bare IMDbratings have not consistently been reliable guides, especially innon-blockbuster situations.
Sexy and thrilling! Tired of Twilight histrionics? Sick of slasherremakes? Yearn for classic dreamy elegance and melancholy of The Hungeror Nosferatu? Then dip into dreamy dripping seas in the land of thisfilm. The last time I saw a film this personal yet gorgeous was when Iwent on a Jean Rollin kick earlier this year. Xan Cassavetes goes rightto the European masters for inspiration. She balances spooky houseatmospherics with creative humor, and a downright "queer" sexuality asit relates to traditional vampire lore. Bottom line - this is a reallyunique and special film. I totally encourage you to let go andexperience the bliss of one. Become undone as you merge with theinfinite beat.
ReplyDeleteAt the time that I am writing this review, this movie has an abysmalrating on IMDb (less than five stars).
ReplyDeleteIf IMDb were a room full of people with exceptional taste, I guess Iwould understand why. The movie is thoroughly derivative; it tries alittle too hard. I get the feeling that it's supposed to be a 'Hunger'for the modern era, moody and atmospheric-- they've even traded theclassical and operatic soundtrack for haze-scene and low key beatslooped with synth harpsichord melodies -- and yes, sometimes it falls abit short and comes off amateurish.
But IMDb is not a room full of people with taste, so I don't get it.There so many movies on this site with absolutely no redeeming valuethat have ridiculously high ratings. This movie, while not art, didtry; it never came off heavy handed, overall it was approachable, andentertaining. I keep asking myself what about it is causing people toreact so negatively; the only thing I can figure is that perhaps thevampire crowd are portrayed as too cultured or something, I don't know.
Ultimately I guess I'm writing this review for people like me, thosewho put a lot (perhaps too much) stock in IMDb ratings. As a fan offilms like The Hunger and the whole 'artsy, excessively classy buttortured immortal' cliché I can honestly tell you that I didn't thinkthis film was an utter waste of time (at least no more so than manyother movies). It was a perfectly fine hour and a half spent on a rainyafternoon.
I find its current rating a bit unfair.