Christabel is a 2001 avant-garde experimental film directed by James Fotopoulos and based on the unfinished poem of the same name by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.[1]
| Christabel | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | James Fotopoulos |
| Screenplay by | James Fotopoulos |
| Based on | Christabel (poem) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
| Produced by | James Fotopoulos |
| Starring |
|
| Edited by | Timothy Farrell |
Production company | Fantasma Inc. |
| Distributed by | Facets Video (DVD) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 74 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Production
editChristabel was Fotopoulos’ first feature length narrative production, consisting of two half-hour segments shot on digital video and two short sequences shot in 16mm film.[1][2] As an adaptation, it eliminates some of the male characters from the Coleridge text and focuses on the theme of one woman commandeering an evil possession of another.[3]
Cast
edit- Kiersten DeBrower as Geraldine
- Jenna Lecce as Sir Leoline
- Veronica Sheaffer as Christabel
- Cherise Silvestri as Bard Bracy
Release
editThe film played on the festival circuit before receiving a DVD release from Facets Video.
Critical response
editAustin Chronicle wrote that Chistabel "poses perceptual and emotional challenges to his viewers", and that within the film "sexual symbolism is dense and not for all tastes."[4]
Phil Hall of Film Threat panned the film, writing "for those who actively loathe experimental cinema, please avoid James Fotopoulos’ “Christabel” at all costs. And for those who actively love experimental cinema…well, the same advice applies", expanding that as a “loose adaptation of the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, If this adaptation was any looser, it would fall off the screen." He found the film to be both plotless and pointless, and one that "offers absolutely nothing which could even vaguely or charitably be defined as art, imagination or stimulation."[5]
Conversely, Chicago Reader wrote "Chicagoan James Fotopoulos has garnered critical acclaim", and that of his film Christabel, it was a "creepy, beautiful" feature,[6] and of the film's screening at the 2002 New York Underground Film Festival, The Christian Science Monitor felt that it was a "frontrunner in the festival's avant-garde lineup",[7] with Independent Film & Video Monthly writing Cristabel would "set festivals ablaze".[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Crawford, Travis (Spring 2001). "Interiors: Travis Crawford peers into the dark world of James Fotopoulo". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^ Michael Atkinson (2008). Exile Cinema. State University of New York Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-7914-7377-1.
- ^ Fred Camper (August 21, 2002). "Chicago Underground Film Festival". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ Baumgarten, Marjorie (November 5, 2002). "Double Trouble: James Fotopoulos & Julia Halperin". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Phil Hall (March 22, 2004). "review:Christabel". Film Threat. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ^ Camper, Fred (April 15, 2002). "Christabel". Chicago Reader. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ Sterritt, David (March 8, 2002). "Underground goes mainstream". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ^ staff (2002). "Festival Circuit". Independent Film & Video Monthly. Foundation for Independent Video and Film: 26, 27. Retrieved June 7, 2013.