Running time: 104 mins
Genre:
Release Date: 28/11/2024
In the Iranian ghost town “Bad City”, Arash is down on his luck, harassed by drug dealers and looking after his father. But what he doesn’t know is that his luck is about to change when he meets a skateboarding, mysterious and lonely vampiress, who stalks their town at night.
This genre-defying film blends an eerie soundtrack with haunting visuals to craft a dreamlike, atmospheric world. Drawing from both Iranian and Western influences, the eclectic score amplifies the film's otherworldly tone. In a landscape of silent, desolate streets and haunting whispers, the sound design envelops us in a surreal journey through loneliness, power, and the uncanny.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night was both written and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. Dotted as the first ever “Iranian Vampire Western”, the film is shot completely in black and white and oozes originality. Starring Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Mozhan Marnò, Marshall Manes and Dominic Rains. The film was chosen a part of the Next programme in Sundance Film Festival in 2014.
A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is screening as part of the Psymphony film season which aims to explore the inner landscapes of characters’ minds through the immersive power of sound. This collection of films delves into how sound design and music shape our perception of altered realities, emotional turmoil, and psychological fragmentation. Accompanying the features in the season are four experimental short films from the 40s, 50s and 60s which contextualise the development and creativity in film sound for decades. Find out more about what the season has to offer and other exhibition dates @psymphony_films_ on instagram!
+ Short - Bridges Go Round (1958) by Shirley Clarke (7mins 30sec)
Bridges Go Round is an experimental short film made by filmmaker Shirley Clarke. The film consists of eerie, beautiful shots of New York bridges and was created from leftover footage from other projects. Clarke creates a dreamlike quality with the colouring of the film and montage. There were two soundtracks created for Bridges Go Round, when the original had rights issues Jazz producer Teo Macero stepped in for a replacement. The eclectic jazz score elevates the chaotic energy Clarke creates with these vivid images.
Shirley Clarke was an American filmmaker and a key figure in the Avante Garde cinema. She signed the New American Cinema manifesto in 1962 and she co-founded the The Filmmakers Co-operative in New York with Jonas Mekas. She is best known for her feature 1960’s features The Connection (1961), The Cool World (1963) and Portrait of Jason (1967).