Cultural reviews cover 'Die Blutgräfin' film and 'Blutbuch' stage adaptation

The film 'Die Blutgräfin' presents a surreal exploration of Austro-Hungarian history through the lens of vampire mythology. The production utilizes a highly artificial, almost cosplay-like aesthetic, blending historical elements with morbid masquerade and farce. While the film attempts to use the vampire legend as a projection surface for societal rituals and historical absurdities, critics note that the heavy-handed absurdity may occasionally undermine its intended humor.

In the realm of theater, director Anna Stiepani and designer Jenny Schleif discuss the adaptation of Kim de l’Horizon’s 'Blutbuch'. The production aims to translate the novel’s complex, multi-layered language and shifting genres into visual theatrical imagery. Stiepani describes the process of approaching the text like an opera, attempting to capture the rhythmic and fluid nature of the author’s 'écriture fluide' to reflect the intricate family and gender dynamics presented in the work.