QUEEN OF THE DAMNED
US/Australia, 2000, 101 minutes, Colour.
Stuart Townsend, Marguerite Moreau, Aaliyah, Paul Mc Gann, Vincent Perez, Lena Olin, Tiriel Mora, Bruce Spence, Matthew Newton.
Directed by Michael Rymer.
The Vampire Lestat has had a strange life - or afterlife. Incarnated as Tom Cruise in Interview with a Vampire, Lestat roamed the centuries, vampirising all who stood in his way, getting satisfaction from corruption. Author Anne Rice can spin strange and lurid tales. Now Lestat wants fame and fortune at the beginning of the 21st century. How to do this? Become a Rock Star and develop your cult of fans and fanatics. Lestat makes a fatal mistake - vampires, according to lore, should not draw attention to themselves. This incurs the wrath of his mentor Marius (Vincent Perez) and is a challenge to the queen of the damned, Akasha, (the late singer, Aaliyah). In the confrontation, Lestat wins - and wins as well by vampirising Jess, the vampire researcher who has fallen in love with him.
Queen of the Damned was made in Australia by director Michael Rymer (AFI-award winner for Angel Baby). It is stylishly made, literally dark for the world of the vampires and for the wierdness of Lestat's rock concerts. It is all designed to appeal to younger devotees of vampire films. Vampire purists will find it a bit trying if they do not like the music - they probably will agree with the lore that vampires should keep their activities private.
1. The popularity of Anne Rice’s novels? Her character, Lestat, the vampire? The series of books? This film following Interview with the Vampire? Stuart Townsend taking the place of Tom Cruise? Audience interest? The 20th to the 21st century?
2. The tradition of Vampire lore, the undead, the issues of blood, transforming humans into vampires? The mythology here, ancient times, Marius? His presence in the 18th century, the encounter with Lestat? Transforming him? Their discussions? His sleeping for two centuries, waking in the 21st century? Vampires in the 21st century? Transformations? Modern music, hedonism, celebrations?
3. Australian locations, for the United Kingdom, for London, for Hollywood? The musical score?
4. The special effects, the vampire presence and activity? Make-up? For the rock stars? The concerts?
5. Lestat, awakening, his interest in music, becoming a rock star, becoming a celebrity? His decisions, appearing in the open, this against the rules? His concerts, performance, interviews, television, posters, his band, the fans, television interviews?
6. David and Jesse, the special society, the research into vampires? The meeting? The diary? David and his research? Jesse and her fascination, going to the nightclub, the menace, Lestat rescuing her? The reasons for his not transforming her? The relationship, ultimately transforming her?
7. The Queen of the Damned, the statue, the touch, the blood beginning to flow, her coming to life, arising from the dead, her sexual provocation, performance, control, ability to destroy her enemies in fire? Her death?
8. Marius, his story, his past, with Lestat? Being his patron? Asleep, waking in the 21st century, the fascination?
9. Maharet and her presence to Jesse?
10. The British locations, Hollywood? The role of the agent, with Lestat, supplying him with girls? The various girls wanting to be with him, groupies? Jesse, different, the change?
11. Jesse and her motives, meeting David? Giving him the book?
12. A future for Jesse and Lestart? Further vampire stories?
