A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’

Written/directed by Ana Lily Amirpour.

I have no idea where to start with this… An Iranian film about a forbidden romance between a girl and a boy. The boy, forced to sell drugs to make money to look after his addict father. The girl, a vampire who walks the streets at night, stalking and feeding off people who choose to live bad lives.

A very artistic take on romantic comedies, we’re treated to a black and white visual spectacle that is reminiscent of Robert Rodriguez’s ‘El Mariachi’ trilogy, helped along by the quirky soundtrack and intentionally obvious sound mix.

I laughed, gasped and winced my way through this film that was completely unafraid to bask in it’s own drawn out and awkward silences. The whole thing just unfolds fluidly, constantly flowing on unhaltingly, despite the long periods of quiet.

The cinematography goes such a long way to giving ‘A Girl…’ it’s unique character. There is always something to look at in every frame, or at least, you feel like you’re supposed to be looking for something in every frame. The movement is like the low-budget response to David Fincher and the lighting is enough to instigate a jealous rage in any fashion photographer.

I really struggle to say any more about it without wanting to just recite the entire story, then frog-march you straight into the nearest screening and wedge your eyes open to be sure you don’t miss a single beat of this brilliantly peculiar and utterly adorable film.

Starring Sheila Vand and Arash Marandi, ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night’ is 100% worth seeking out. You will not be disappointed.