NosFeratu The Vampyre

Nosferatu the Vampyre

Anangie Martinez

David Rodriguez Lenge

Questions

• What does the handheld camera used frequently to follow certain characters around do for the film? Does this produce a different effect than the original? (34:50)
• Where do you see sexuality in this film?Homoeroticism?(30:30 ) Female sexuality?(1:32:20)
• What is the intent behind the ending? (1:39:40)
• Finally, can this film truly be considered a remake? An homage? Or something entirely unique?

• How do you interpret the varying musical scores in the film? It alternates between utter silence, peaceful music, and very dramatic somewhat violent music. Is there any significance to this?
• How can we interpret the child playing the violin? How does his playing interact with silence/ musical scores of the film? (37:14)
• How do you understand the lighting of the film? Particularly with regards to Dracula and Lucy, who are often shown in the same very soft light contrasted with a black background. (29:10 Dracula, 59:57 Lucy )
• Previously, in the German Expressionist film, we had very claustrophobic spaces and sharp corners. How would you classify the sets in this film? What do you make of the large open spaces with a few claustrophic shots scattered throughout? (22:50)

Plot Summary

• What are some similarities or differences between Herzog's film and Murnau's film?
• What does the opening sequence accomplish? Why did Herzog choose to open the film with mummies?
• What is the significance of different animals throughout the film? The wolves, bats, rats, and kittens?

Nosferatu The Vampyre

• Jonathan Harker sent by Renfield to Transylvania
• Harker brings his wife Lucy to stay with friends
• Jonathan takes four weeks to travel there, stops in village
• The woman gives him holy relics, which end up being useless.
• Jonathan arrives at the castle, Count tries to suck his blood when he cuts himself
• Dracula sees Lucy's picture
• Harker is attacked in his room, Lucy is tormented by the attack. Later he finds the coffin with Dracula in it,
• Dracula leaves with coffins, Jonathan escapes through window and is sent to hospital
• Ship episode, Dracula arrives in Wismar, Jonathan returns, does not recognize Lucy
• Lucy learns what is happening, attempts to convince townspeople and Van Helsing
• Lucy seduces Dracula, Van Helsing murders him, and Harker becomes a vampire.

Werner Herzog

• Art House Film
• Emphasis on aesthetics rather than commercial success
• Often experimental
• Often "Unconventional or highly symbolic content"
• Used bilingual actors, and made the film in both English and German, and filmed scenes with dialogue twice
• Low budget film, only a had a crew of 16 people
• Well received by critics and commercially successful, unlike first Nosferatu

• German film director, producer screenwriter, author, actor, and opera director
• Born 5 September 1942
• Considered the original Nosferatu to be the greatest film ever to come out of Germany