This Romanian feature film's title translates as MISS Christina. An English translation of the novel has been completed and will be published in 2016 by Istros Press in the UK. This novel was perhaps the most famous single work of fiction by Mircea Eliade, author of many supernatural novels and stories, one of which, YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH, was rather unsuccessfully filmed by Francis Ford Coppola in 2007. On that occasion, Coppola's screen writing and directing talents fell somewhat short of what we might have expected from him, and perhaps he did not fully enter into the spirit of Romanian supernatural lore, and Eliade's particular take on it. Eliade, a Romanian political exile, was famous for becoming the world's first Professor of the History of Religions (at the University of Chicago), and being the author of countless seminal works such as YOGA (he had lived in India and knew Sanskrit as well as he did Romanian) and SHAMANISM, as well as his astonishingly profound ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF RELIGION, and countless other such works. He was a close friend of Carl Jung. Eliade's influence upon the intellectual progress of the West in the 20th century can hardly be over-estimated. His fiction is of a very high standard, and his supernatural themes are often based upon genuine sacred and folkloric traditions which he knew so well. In this story, the theme is the traditional Romanian one of vampirism. However, Eliade treats it with a rare subtlety which is far from the coarse 'grab 'em and bite 'em' popular Dracula tradition. The film is of excellent quality and has extremely high production values, with perfect Victorian settings, costumes, and props. Considering that the total budget of the film was just over one million euros, it is incredible that such a high standard was achieved for almost no money. The director is Alexandru Maftei. This is only his third feature film, for which he also wrote the excellent screenplay. This novel was filmed also in 1992 in Romania, but I have not seen that version. This film has English subtitles but has apparently not yet been distributed outside Romania, which is astonishing, considering how good it is. In my opinion, this is the best vampire film since Carl Dreyer's VAMPYR (1932). The casting of this film is perfect. Anastasia Dumitrescu is chilling, wickedly alluring, and utterly convincing as the undead Miss Christina. Ioana Anastasia Anton is beautiful, wistful, and languid as Christina's sister Sanda. Tudor Istodor is superb as the young man who hopes to marry Sanda but has no idea what he is getting into. Maia Morgenstern, an immensely experienced older actress and veteran of 54 films, is just right as Mrs. Moscu, the mother, who is confused, obscure, and heavily compromised. Ioana Sandu is the child actress who plays the younger sister Simina with eerie and sinister subtlety and inspiration. It is best not to reveal the whole story, but be assured that it is more complicated than at first appears. This is a thoroughly excellent film, far superior to any of the modern vampire-themed films which have been produced in the English language. It is entirely authentic in its atmosphere and is wonderfully done. Hollywood could learn something from these talented Romanians.
