Akim Tamiroff, born in Tiflis in 1899, brought his distinctive flair to the screen in Marquis de Sade: Justine (1969). Known for his thick accent and commanding presence, Tamiroff carved out a niche in Hollywood after arriving in the U.S. in 1923. In Justine, he embodies the complex dynamics of the titular character's journey, adding depth to the film's exploration of morality and desire. His work in this cult classic exemplifies the blend of eroticism and philosophical inquiry that defines the genre.
The Black Sleep
In 19th century England, a noted brain surgeon rescues a former student from being hanged on a false conviction for murder, and spirits him away to an ancient, repurposed abbey far in the countryside. There, he connives his pupil into assisting him in mapping the functions of the various parts of the human brain, using living subjects who are under a terrible animation-suspending drug called "black sleep". Subsequently, the student, along with the daughter of one of the subjects, discover that most of these subjects have survived but are being kept in a dungeon-like cellar, in various stages of physical and mental derangement...
