Action is action. Comedy is comedy. The best thing about horror, however, is that it covers a wide array of various topics — from monsters and creatures, to madmen and psychos, to the downright bizarre and artistically creepy. While Alain Robbe-Grillet’s L’immortelle isn’t what I’d necessarily call a horror film, it certainly fits into the artistic and creepy side of things.
A lonely man has moved to Istanbul where he meets a beautiful young woman, whom he falls head over heels for immediately. The two begin to grow closer, but every time the man tries to show his affection towards her, she shies away, saying “not here, not now.” As the man tries to learn more about this mysterious woman, he finds out less and less. After she disappears suddenly, the man backtracks, trying to find out who may know any information about his lost lover. They finally meet again, but she is killed in an accident soon after. Will the man ever find out the woman’s real name or anything else about her, for that matter?
L’immortelle is certainly not the type of film I’d normally choose to watch, but I definitely appreciate it for what it is. Thanks to the creative vision of director Alain Robbe-Grillet and the skill of cinematographer Maurice Barry, this is one of the most beautifully shot films I’ve ever seen, especially a film from the 1960’s. From the wide-angle spans to the uncomfortably close facial zooms, every shot is something to admire. Shot entirely in black and white, Redemption Films’ high definition transfer of L’immortelle is gorgeous from start to finish.
Like a very long foreign episode of The Twilight Zone, this movie plays out more like a mystery drama than a true horror film. It will, however, creep the hell out of you. In any given scene, all extras or background characters are seen standing or sitting still. No movement at all. Additionally, there are several scenes with no dialog whatsoever, adding to the already strange close-up camera shots.
If you are a fan of artistic drama films, you should definitely check this movie out. Redemption Films and Kino Lorber are officially releasing L’immortelle on April 1, so be sure to order your copy today.
I give this film 3 mosques out of 5.
Hmmm I might have to check this out.