Evelyne Thomas, a French actress, made her mark in the late 1970s with standout performances in cult cinema. In The Grapes of Death (1978), she embodies a pivotal role that showcases the film's blend of horror and social commentary. Her work in Fascination (1979) further cements her place in the realm of erotic thrillers, where she navigates themes of desire and betrayal. Thomas's contributions to these films highlight the allure and complexity of characters within the exploitation genre, making her an essential figure in the SassyFlix catalog.
Fascination
This erotic horror film, set in 1905, tells the story of a thief who seeks refuge in a castle owned by two women, Eva (Brigitte Lahaie) and Elizabeth (Franca Mai). The women are seductive and teasing, but turn out to be part of a vampiric cult of blood-drinking aristocrats. Fascination is a very apt title for this spellbinding movie! A typically dreamlike and stylish work from the remarkable Jean Rollin. Yup, it’s another lesbian vampire movie (from a decade that produced quite a few!) but Rollin, like Jess Franco, puts his own original touches to it which make it truly unforgettable. Like most of Franco’s (and Dario Argento’s) output, atmosphere and aesthetics are more important than plot, and the performances of the actors involved are variable. Rollin doesn’t seem to be too concerned with creating believable characters, he uses his (beautiful) actresses as striking images moving across a background. His movies are often closer to paintings than your standard Hammer horror. That’s why ‘Fascination’ is so unlike most vampire movies you’ll ever see. Inspired and original. Don’t miss this one!
