Metrograph

Working from a 1929 novel by the Russian fantasist Aleksandr Grin, Herz crafted this Gothic drama about two sisters, Klára and Viktoria—both played by Iva Janžurová, in an amazing double-role performance—put at loggerheads when the sweet, vapid Klára receives both the better part of their father’s sprawling estate and the love of the man that Viktoria adores, leading the snubbed sibling to venomous thoughts of murder. A fairy tale psychodrama frequently shot from the POV of the titular cat, gradually raised to hallucinatory, fever dream heights by Luboš Fišer’s score, it’s a decadent delectation that’s been likened to live-action Aubrey Beardsley.

North American Distributor: Severin Films

All films restored by Národní filmový archiv, Prague, supported by The Czech Audiovisual Fund, with Morgiana newly restored in 4K in 2024 specifically for Severin Films' House of Psychotic Women collection. Special thanks to Juraj Machálek and Lucia Petříková.

Q&A with actor Iva Janžurová on Saturday, October 25th