by Shane Lange:
A word that doesn’t often come to mind when one describes a horror film is the term, “pretty”, yet despite generous displays of nudity, blood, and violence, Video Diary of a Lost Girl overwhelms its viewers with breathtaking prettiness. Director Lindsay Denniberg’s debut feature is one horror geek’s quirky tribute to her influences: Beetlejuice-era Tim Burton; horror-comedy b-movies from the Eighties (i.e. Rockula, My Demon Lover); and, most notably for visual style, the dystopian cult classic Liquid Sky.
Combining live action with green screen techniques and wildly creative set miniatures, Denniberg’s meticulous post-production tweaking creates a beautifully high-contrast, florescent colour scheme that brings to life set designs reminiscent of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For viewers who remember lo-fi, analogue video, this is nostalgic neon eye candy.
The film follows Louise, the black sheep of a supernatural demon clan of Lilin – a race of succubi descended from Adam’s first wife – as she struggles to accept her immortality and the shocking reappearance of her dead lover and first victim, Charlie. Although Louise is sarcastic, cynical, and a bit of a brat, she takes her role as a succubus very seriously – similar to Joss Whedon’s Angel character, Louise only preys on other predators to atone for her own violent nature. Actor Priscilla McEver takes zany delight in the role of Louise – her exaggerated facial gestures recall the grimaces of actors in German Expressionist silent films like Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, often with hilarious results. Channelling a young Winona Ryder, McEver huffs and puffs like a sulky teen wolf whenever her Lilin sisters encourage her to embrace her inner demon or her reincarnated amnesiac boyfriend Charlie makes a pathetic-but-cute attempt to flirt with her.
For blending such a wide range of cinematic influences in a visually stunning fashion (and with an awesome goth rock soundtrack to boot), Video Diary can be forgiven its clunky plot. Louise’s origin and life as a Lilin merit our attention but the storyline is complicated by secondary characters Jane and Emily (which is a shame – their story would be very interesting to explore in its own right). It’s also unclear whether or not the relationship between Louise and Charlie offers the film’s central point of conflict or if it is just an amusing sidetrack – they seem less like long-lost lovers than like a couple whose affections are temporarily misplaced. Fortunately each story arc is well-developed and there is no shortage of good material in either case; considering the film’s consuming visual experience, repeat viewings are definitely worthwhile.
NOTE: Video Diary of a Lost Girl is still making the rounds at film festivals but check it out on Facebook for distribution updates.
95 minutes
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