The kind people from Addovolt Productions have asked me to review their short film Danse Macabre. I will include the youtube video here and if you want to know more about the project, check out Addovolt Productions' blog. I will try not to spoil anything and let you discover this lovely little short film for yourself. Enjoy!
Danse Macabre, as the name suggests, is largely set to Saint-Saëns well-known piece of the same name. The film starts slow but immediately sets the tone: silly vampire tropes galore. Once the action starts, the story is on a roll until the very end, one new spin on vampire clichés after another. The finale of the music piece works perfectly with the final dénouement of the film. Without spoiling anything: the plot of Danse Macabre is simple but effective in its reminiscence of classic vampire films; the actors play their role well and the costumes are stunning.
Generally, Danse Macabre has a vintage feel to it, which would make a viewer nostalgic for 80s and 90s Halloween movies; it also seems to have borrowed its cute and campy atmosphere from films such as Hocus Pocus, The Goonies and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The fact that it is recorded during Halloween on the streets only adds to the quirkiness - seeing vampire brides in a commonplace setting makes it all slightly absurd in the best way possible.
If you're looking for a short and quirky Halloween film that is not too serious but plain, campy fun, don't hesitate to give Danse Macabre a try.