Ep 269: Gothic Horror and French New Wave Collide in “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” (2014)

In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss Ana Lily Amirpour's 2014 debut film, “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night,” described as the world's first Iranian vampire western. Set in a fictional and decaying Bad City, the film follows Arash, a kindhearted boy, and a girl who loves pop music and happens to be a vampire. Filmed entirely in black and white, the movie blends elements of gothic horror, Nouvelle Vague, and Persian-American culture. The discussion delves into the film's themes of decay, loneliness, and predation, while highlighting its unique aesthetic and dreamlike quality. The hosts also appreciate the film's rich cultural influences and its novel approach to the vampire genre. They conclude with a recommendation to watch the movie, emphasizing its haunting beauty and timeless appeal.

00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast

00:09 Overview of 'A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night'

01:31 Setting and Filming Locations

02:52 Characters and Cultural Influences

07:42 Themes of Isolation and Predation

09:36 Meet Cute: A Vampire Romance

11:50 Arash and the Girl's Cloak Scene

12:42 Disco Ball and White Lies' “Death”

14:43 The Girl's Design and Cobra Symbolism

16:21 Melancholy and Romanticism in the Film

19:14 Gothic Horror and Urban Decay

22:15 The Sublime and Smallness in Bad City

24:45 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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