Françoise wakes up one day from an ominous dream that seemingly foreshadows her imminent death. Not wanting to waste a minute of her remaining time, she consults her crystal pendulum and promptly convinces her best friend Delphine to attend a mysterious costume party. So, they sneak out of their Catholic boarding school and hitch a ride with a suspicious older gentleman who takes an unusual interest in the two young girls. But that’s just the start of their increasingly bizarre encounters, each adding up to Françoise’s prophetic vision.
Bitten exists in the intoxicating space of teenage drama and otherworldly suspense, shrouding the story in a veil of atmospheric angst and riding the momentum of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everything is vaguely familiar yet just outside the narrative rule book. Drawing from the tradition of the giallo occult mystique, emerging director Romain de Saint-Blanquat impresses with his command of genre tonalities, harnessing the power of heightened adolescent senses, reckless conviction, and insatiable youthful curiosity.
…de Saint-Blanquat’s film has moments of Gothic fancifulness and is an atmospheric and visual delight.
Eye For Film
The short film The Birthday Party will play before this feature.
Presented by
Léonie Dahan-Lamort, Lilith Grasmug, Cyril Metzger, Maxime Rohart, Fred Blin
France
2023
Vanguard
In French with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Producer
Marc-Benoît Créancier
Screenwriter
Romain de Saint-Blanquat
Cinematography
Martin Roux
Editor
Sanabel Cherqaoui
Production Design
Sébastien Gondek
Original Music
Émile Sornin
Director
Romain de Saint-Blanquat
After studying cinema in Bordeaux and Paris, where he directed a graduation short film, Romain de Saint-Blanquat worked as a decorator, production assistant and screenwriter. He is a winner of the Gan Foundation Award. Bitten is his first feature film.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Souleymane's Story
Exhausted by the grueling grind of the Parisian gig economy and hopping between homeless shelters, Guinean immigrant Souleymane races against time to prepare for his asylum interview. An angry, tender film which is as gripping as any thriller.
The Last Class
Economist and former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich embarks on what will be his last year teaching at Berkeley. What can he impart to the latest generation to inspire and empower them for the grievous challenges ahead?
The Balconettes
In this flamboyant black comedy set in Marseille during a heatwave, writer-director-star Noémie Merlant and her two besties have to cover up the unpleasant evidence of a disastrous night partying with the hunk across the way.
Monk in Pieces
A playful and engaging portrait of the avant-garde singer, composer, choreographer and performance artist Meredith Monk. Philip Glass, David Byrne and Bjork share their observations.