Did you know that the word “vampir” (vampire) originated in Serbia? The vampire superstition started in the 18th century when, as legend has it, a villager was accused of killing nine people after his death. When his corpse was dug up, there was no sign of decay and apparently fresh blood was found around his lips. Since then the legend has spread, and become a global phenomenon. However, it’s surprising that not many Serbian films have addressed vampirism. #VIWIFF2016 offers a rare chance to see one!
The Cursed Days is a short film about a family living in an 18th-century Serbian village affected by this superstition.
Only it’s not just a superstition at this point; a poor villager goes out to war with the Turks only to come back infected with vampirism.
An interesting mesh of history and myth, it’s up to the viewer to decide which oppressor the film is really about and who is really infecting the family.
This student film is well put together with impressing and accurate sets and costumes representing this period. It also has a great cast including one of the most highly praised theatre and film actors in Serbia, Vojin Ćetković, who plays the father, as well as a good performance from popular actress Nataša Ninković, who plays the mother, and of course, the lead character, played by Kristina Vuletić.
You can catch it on Friday March 11th at 4 PM at Vancouver’s Vancity Theatre, as part of the 70% Dark Genre shorts collection.
Director Emilija Gašić and actor Kristina Vuletić (in key photo) will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.
By Sanja Živković
WIFTV member Sanja Živković is an SFU film grad, a CFC alumna; and a director and screenwriter of several short films
Women in Film and Television Vancouver Blog 