Season 2 Archive | Rhapsody in 35MM

SEASON 2: Vampires in Film

In Season 2, we explore the origins of the vampire, especially the female vampire, in literature and mythology. We discuss the fascinating life and career of American dancer Loïe Fuller, the star of Pathé's 1902 film, Loïe Fuller, which some consider the first image of a vampire on film. We trace the development of the vampire through such films as the Fritz Lang-penned Lilith und Ly (1919), Drakula halala (1921), Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), and Dracula (1931), to name a few.

S02E01: Lilith Fair: The Origins of the Female Vampire

The first episode of Season 2 explores the historical evolution of female vampiric archetypes, tracing their origins from ancient Sumerian demons like Lilith, Lamashtu, and the Greek Lamia. It highlights how these figures were shaped by societal anxieties regarding female independence, sexuality, and the dangers of childbirth.