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“SHE IS CONANN” Puts A Queer Horror Spin On The Classic Tale Of “Conan The Barbarian”

Friday, January 19, 2024 | News

In a barbaric fantasy sci-fi trip through time, sword-and-sorcery mythology is bent, fractured, and gender-swapped by master visionary Bertrand Mandico in his third feature epic. Six lives, six eras, and six deaths mark Conann’s poetic journey through different incarnations and lesbian loves. Guiding Conann through her many epic lives is Elina Löwensohn (Amateur, Let the Corpses Tan) as Rainer, a Cerberus of many otherworldly dimensions whose paparazzi camera sees all. 

The perversity of The Wild Boys and the hero’s journey of After Blue (Dirty Paradise) come together in this even greater handmade homage, as Mandico ropes in influences as lush as Fellini Satyricon, The Night Porter, The Hunger, and Fassbinder’s entire oeuvre to craft a moving portrait of a warrior trying to find her place while outside of space, time, and meaning. Mandico’s latest is an official selection of Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Fantastic Fest, and Sitges Film Festival.

SHE IS CONANN will be opening in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and more, with Mandico and star Elina Löwensohn both making a very rare stateside appearance to be in attendance for select opening weekend screenings at Anthology Film Archives in New York City. In addition to the opening of his latest feature, both Anthology Film Archives and select Alamo Drafthouses across the country will be presenting special short showcases of newly debuting work.

Find screening details on Altered Innocence’s website.

 

Grace Detwiler
Grace Detwiler (@finalgirlgrace) is a freelance film journalist and law student. Her original work can be found on her blog, FinalGirlGrace, as well as in Rue Morgue's print and online publications.