Vampyros Lesbos
(Sinema Saliba DVD)
(2008)
review by Catwalk

Matthew Saliba first came to my attention when I had a chance to review his 2007 giallo, “She Was Asking for It”.  In that short, Saliba faced off against two women who raped and humiliated him, and made sure to get his revenge in a manner befitting the crime.

“Vampyros Lesbos” is a re-telling of Jess Franco’s 1971 film, “Vampiros Lesbos”.  The plot in this version remains the same.  Bored housewife Linda falls under the spell of the vampire Countess Nadine, and it’s up to her husband Omar to cure her of the vampiric curse, and then ball her properly back onto the path of redemption.

Again, it’s Saliba vs. two chicks, but this time under completely different stakes, with more at stake and a different twist.  He gets his S & M vibe across very clearly.  This is Saliba’s signature overtone, and it serves his various productions well.

The photography by Mario Carangi is once again splendid, using light and shadow to paint emotions from lust to sexual frustration.  Angles and points-of-view help to detail the characters’ isolation and desperation.  The filmmakers choose the right amount of special effects to get the point across about the vampires without appearing fake.

The musical choices, as with “She Was Asking for It” provide a nice blanket.  Depeche Mode’s “Waiting for the Night to Fall” is a perfect fit for Linda’s seduction.

Let’s face it.  If you’re religious, or not into bondage/lesbian action/ball gags/dildos/various other assorted sex toys, stay the fuck away from this material.  If you like your blood and gore with a little hardcore, than Saliba and his studio are a perfect fit for you.  Matthew Saliba has found a niche in the horror genre, and he continues to expand his scope and his talent at presenting it to the world.