HISTORY This Week Nosferatu Rises Again (feat. Robert Eggers)
Dec 23, 2024
Robert Eggers, the visionary director behind the new Nosferatu, dives into the haunting legacy of Vlad the Impaler and how it shaped the Dracula mythos. He discusses the brutal history of medieval Romania and the psychological fears that influenced 19th-century vampire lore. Eggers reveals how he blends the supernatural with historical realism, making the blood-sucking monster feel relatable. The conversation also explores modern interpretations of vampires and the impact of historical events like cholera outbreaks on storytelling, linking past and present.
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Vampire Appeal
- Vampire stories combine sex and death, creating a compelling allure.
- Early folklore vampires were gruesome corpses, unlike the later aristocratic portrayal.
Vampires as Scapegoats
- Historically, vampires served as scapegoats for plagues and lingering trauma.
- They embodied the fear of a deceased person's continued negative influence.
Nosferatu's Appearance
- Eggers' Nosferatu draws inspiration from folk vampire depictions, resembling a living corpse.
- Actor Bill Skarsgård embodies this undead Transylvanian nobleman aesthetic.
