"Near Dark" Don't call it B grade! Origin of strong director Kathryn Bigelow

From a hidden gem to a must-see piece!

Bigelow's elaborately completed film, Near Dark, was released in the US in October 1987, but unfortunately it was not a hit. The production company went bankrupt immediately after the film was completed, and it was unfortunate that it was only adequately distributed and promoted, but the timing was also bad because it was released right after the vampire film The Lost Boys , which was released in the summer of the same year, became a huge hit. Incidentally, Joshua Miller, the child actor who appeared in this film, and Jason Patric, who starred in The Lost Boys , are half-brothers.

However, an interesting film will surely find fans. The following year, the film won the Grand Prix at the Paris International Fantastic & Science Fiction Film Festival and the runner-up at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, which helped to increase the film's acclaim, and its popularity spread as it was released on DVD after its theatrical release. Horror genius John Carpenter lists this film as one of his favorite vampire movies, along with the classic Dracula (1958), and was inspired by it to create the Western-style vampire film Vampire: The Last Crusade (1998).

Bigelow's subsequent success story should be self-explanatory for movie fans. Since her powerful work " Detroit " (2017), she has not made any new works, and although there are rumors that she is planning a thriller, it is not certain whether it will come to fruition. For now, let's revisit this film, which is her starting point, and wait for her powerful new work that will blow a hole in Hollywood.

Interview and text: Manabu Soma

After working as an information magazine editor, became a freelance writer. He writes articles and reviews for magazines such as ``SCREEN,'' ``DVD & Video Distribution,'' and ``Cinema Square,'' as well as theater pamphlets and the movie site ``Cinema Today.'' Currently appearing on Star Channel "GO! Theater". I host club events as a hobby.

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